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V .^"^ 




Forty-Six Months 



WITH THE 



Fourth R. I. Volunteers, 



Wicix jof 1861 t0 1865, 



COMPRISING A 



History of its Marches, Battles, and Camp Life. 



Compiled from Journals kept while on Duty 
IN THE Field and Camp, 



Corp. Geo. H. Allen, 

Of Company B. 



sold by subscription only. V <», ^ Jy '</. > 

COPTRIGHT SeCURBD. ^Cj©/? //igM' ^"^ -^ 



Providence, R. I. : J. A. & R. A. REID, Printers. 

1887. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 18S7, 

By GEO. II. ALLEN, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, 

at Washington. 



i— » "•»< "■^ ^~' 



TO MY COMRADES OF THE 

FOURTH REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS, 

AND ESPECIALLY OF 

TO THE FRATERNITY OF THE LIVING AND 

THE SACRED MEMORY OF THE 

DEAD, 

THIS VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY 

DEDICATED BY THE 

AUTHOR. 



r 



PREFACE. 



I HAVE written this volume of personal history as a sol- 
dier in the rank and file of the Fourth Rhode Island Vol- 
unteers, and as a soldier's story I offer it unto all who 
may kindly favor it with their perusal. It is a simple, 
truthful story of life in the Army and Navy of the United 
States, as I saw it, during nearly the whole War of the 
Rebellion. 

At the time of my first enlistment in Company B, of the 
Fourth Rhode Island Regiment, I began a journal, keeping 
a faithful record of everything that transpired under my own 
immediate observation that was worthy of note. From 
that journal this book is compiled. 

I do not pretend that it is a full and complete history of 
the regiment. That work is left in abler hands than mine. 
But in the absence of a full and authentic history of the 
Fourth Rhode Island, it will give to the world some idea 
of the patriotism displayed and work accomplished by this 
regiment in the War of the Rebellion. The record of the 
Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers is unsurpassed ; its ser- 
vices were invaluable, and it is high time that they were 
better known to the state, and to the country at large. 

My comrades will find herein authentic data to enable 
them to write their own personal history, or to locate their 



6 PREFACE. 

evidence in claims for pension, or to refresh their memory 
of the many reminiscences of their soldier life, and I trust 
it will prove to them a valuable book of reference. 

It is expected that errors of omission or commission w^ill 
be found in every history of the war. No such work has 
been found yet absolutely correct, and I do not claim that 
this book is exempt, but it contains nothing of a fictitious 
nature, and the story of our mutual experience is told only 
from the stand-point of the writer in the rank and file of 
Company B. 

It also embodies the experience of our naval detachment, 
with whom I served on board the Commodore Perry ^ dur- 
ing the Burnside Expedition, and an appendix, embracing 
a complete roster of Company B, and the battles in which 
it participated. 

That it may be read without unjust criticism, but with 
much pleasure and profit, is the only wish of the writer. 

Corp. GEO. H. ALLEN, 

Late of Co. B, 4th R. I. Vols. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

CAMP GREENE THE REGIMENTAL COLORS OUR FIRST 

LONG MARCH GOOD-BYE TO HOME AND LOVED ONES 

— OUR JOURNEY SOUTHWARD CAMP SPRAGUE CAMP 

MUD THE FIRST LONG ROLL CAMP LIFE VISIT 

TO THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND REVIEWED BY PRES- 
IDENT LINCOLN REVIEWED BY GENERAL MCCLELLAN 

COLONEL MCCARTY SUPERSEDED ARRIVAL OF THE 

FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TO WASHINGTON TO EX- 
CHANGE ARMS, Page 13-28 

CHAPTER II. 

TO LOWER MARLBORO SECOND DAy's MARCH, TWENTY- 
SEVEN MILES SEVENTEEN MILES WITHOUT A REST 

' THIRD day's MARCH, THIRTY MILES VISIT OF 

GOVERNOR SPRAGUE CAMP CALIFORNIA AN INTER- 
ESTING PICTURE NIGHT ATTACK EXPECTED OUR 

FIRST PICKET DUTY WINTER QUARTERS CHRIST- 
MAS FESTIVITIES AT ANNAPOLIS, MD., . PaGES 29-43 

CHAPTER III. 

OUR FIRST PAY-DAY STEAMER " EASTERN QUEEN " THE 

GREAT FLEET GETTING UNDERWAY STRANGE PAS- 
SENGERS BELOW THE STORM ARISES WRECK AND 

DISASTER A GLOOMY SITUATION GOING OVER THE 

BAR LYING AT HATTERAS INLET HARDSHIPS AND 

PRIVATIONS VOLUNTEERS CALLED FOR FOR THE 

NAVY, Pages 44-58 

CHAPTER IV. 

OUR NEW QUARTERS AND NEW EXPERIENCE ARMAMENT 

AND FOOD OUR DUTIES ON SHIPBOARD CALLS OF 

THE NIGHT-WATCH PUNISHMENTS THE TRAVELING 

SPITTOON — ROANOKE THE BALL OPENS A SPLEN- 



b CONTENTS. 

DID SHOT WE GET AGROUND, AND GET PEPPERED 

ACCORDINGLY A SMART LITTLE CRAFT LANDING 

OF THE TROOPS THE LINES ADVANCE THE REG- 
IMENT'S FIRST BATTLE IT RECEIVES ITS BAPTISM OF 

FIRE THE ISLAND IS OURS THE " PERRY " AFTER 

THE BATTLE, PaGES 59-75 

CHAPTER V. 

ADVANCE ON THE ENEMY's FLEET "WAITING FOR THE 

SIGNAL CLOSE ACTION TERRIBLE AND BLOODY WORK 

THEY ARE OURS AFTER THE BATTLE CAPTURE 

OF EDENTON EXPEDITION TO WINTON THE DISMAL 

SWAMP CAUGHT IN A TRAP BUT GET SAFELY OUT OF 

IT CAPTURE THE PLACE THE LAST OF WINTON 

READY FOR ACTION, PaGES 76-87 

CHAPTER VI. 

SAIL FOR NEWBERN SHELLING THE WOODS LANDING 

of the troops on the road again a cold and 

dreary march position of the forces charge 

of the fourth rhode island gratitude and 

praise from burnside clearing the rifle-pits 

operations of the naval fleet — conflagra- 
tions capture of newbern on the move again 

capture of blockade runners occupation of 

carolina city a dangerous expedition pass- 
ing the rebel fort occupation of beaufort, 

Pages 88-102 

CHAPTER VII. 

SURPRISE OF THE INHABITANTS SCENES AND INCIDENTS 

THE OLD slave's STORY GREENBACKS BELOW PAR 

TAKEN VERY ILL JOURNEY TO THE HOSPITAL 

EXPERIENCE IN HOSPITAL SAD SCENES CHANGE OF 

QUARTERS BACK FOR DUTY INVESTMENT OF FORT 

MACON POSITION OF BATTERIES THE BOMBARDMENT 

OPENS SURRENDER OF THE FORT EFFECTS OF OUR 

HEAVY FIRE BURNSIDE's CONGRATULATORY ORDER, 

Pages 103-115 



CONTENTS. 9 

CHAPTER VIII. 

CAMP LIFE ONCE MORE SWORD PRESENTATION LEFT ON 

GUARD PICKETS DROVE IN BY A CALF MARCHING 

ORDERS "RICHMOND IS TAKEN" GOOD-BYE TO BEAU- 
FORT ARRIVE AT FORTRESS MONROE — LAND AT NEW- 
PORT NEWS AT WORK AT THE BAKERY TROUBLE 

IN THE REGIMENT LEAVE NEWPORT NEWS OFFICERS 

RESIGN AT FALMOUTH EVACUATION OF FREDERICKS- 
BURG RAID ON THE SUTLERS SINKING OF THE 

"• WEST POINT," Pages i 16-132 

CHAPTER IX. 

ON THE WAY TO THE REGIMENT HAMPTON HOSPITAL 

SHORT RATIONS EFFORTS TO GETAWAY ARE SUC- 
CESSFUL AT LAST LAND AT ALEXANDRIA FOUND 

AFTER MANY ADVENTURES MARCH TO FREDERICK 

CITY SOUTH MOUNTAIN POSITION OF OUR LINES ON 

THE i6tH BATTLE OF ANTIETAM THE OLD FOURTH 

AT WORK AGAIN CHANGING POSITION THE SIX- 
TEENTH CONNECTICUT RETIRES NARROW ESCAPE OF 

OUR COLORS OUTFLANKED AND BROKEN MOWED 

DOWN LIKE GRASS HEAVY LOSS IN COMPANY B THE 

BATTLE OVER, PaGES I33-I48 

CHAPTER X. 

at pleasant valley on the march again lovetts- 

ville camp starvation burnside promoted 

a race down the valley tired of marching 

arrive opposite fredericksburg a muddy expe- 
dition disheartening situation condition of 

the army thanksgiving freezing to death, 

Pages 149-160 

CHAPTER XI. 

OPEN FIRE ON THE CITY PREPARATIONS TO CROSS POSI- 
TION OF THE REBEL LINES THE GREAT TOBACCO CAP- 
TURE THE REGIMENT CROSSES THE RIVER THAT 

COLD NIGHT ON PICKET STEALING A BED OF HAY 

THE BALL OPENS TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER "FORWARD, 

FOURTH RHODE ISLAND ! " DEATH OF LIEUTENANT- 
COLONEL CURTIS AFTER THE BATTLE SCENES AND 

INCIDENTS EFFECTS OF OUR SHOT AND SHELL 



lO CONTENTS. 

BREAKING UP HOUSEKEEPING SPOILING OUR SUPPER 

POSITION OF OUR ARMY TO THE FRONT AGAIN 

EVACUATION A YANKEE TRICK CAUGHT IN THEIR 

OWN TRAP, Pages 161-182 

CHAPTER XII. 

NEW assignment MORE TROUBLE IN THE REGIMENT 

BIG PAY ANOTHER MOVE PREVENTED BY THE STORM 

DESERTIONS FREQUENT PATRIOTISM AT ALOW EBB 

LEAVE THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC NEWPORT 

NEWS PRESENTATION OF COLORS LEAVE NEWPORT 

NEWS CAMP AT SUFFOLK ADVANCE OF LONGSTREET 

BUILD A FORT ACTIVE OPERATIONS DOWN INTO 

THE SWAMP NO REST FOR THE WEARY RECONNAIS- 
SANCE IN FORCE ARRIVAL OF THE ELEVENTH RHODE 

ISLAND BATTLE OF HILL's POINT LONGSTREET RE- 
TIRES, Pages 183-199 

CHAPTER XIII. 

ON THE MARCH ONCE MORE A DISAPPOINTMENT GETTY's 

STATION AT WORK ON THE LINE MARCHING ORDERS 

GENERAL LEE's ANNUAL EXCURSION YORKTOWN 

LINES OF EARTH-WORKS OUR REVOLUTIONARY FATHERS 

TO THE WHITE HOUSE KING WILLIAMS TERRIBLE 

MARCHING MEN DROP DEAD SIX MILES TO RICHMOND 

ON THE BACK TRACK RAPID TRAVELING WIL- 
LIAMSBURG AND YORKTOWN HOME AGAIN IN OUR OLD 

CAMP, Pages 200-213 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE REGIMENT WITH THE BIG KNAPSACKS PADDY MILES, 

THE COBBLER CHANGE OF CAMP FORT RODMAN 

THE LINE COMPLETED BOWERS' HILL POSITION OF 

PICKET LINE ADVENTURES ON PICKET WRIGHt's 

MILLS HALTING THE GRAND ROUNDS COULDn't FOOL 

THE FOURTH WATCHING FOR REBEL CAVALRY OUT- 
POST ON THE RAILROAD THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP 

PICKETS ALARMED SUSPICIOUS NOISES SOLD AGAIN 

BARRACKS ON FIRE, PaGES 214-229 



CONTENTS. II 

CHAPTER XV. 

NORFOLK MURDER OF LIEUTENANT SANBORN A DAUGH- 
TER'S AFFECTION PREPARING FOR THE EXECUTION 

THE murderer's DOOM RETURN TO CAMP THE DE- 
SERTER'S FATE — THE LAST, THE SADDEST SCENE OF 

ALL, ; Pages 230-243 

CHAPTER XVI. 

RAID ON THE CONTRABANDS A LUDICROUS SCENE A DE- 
MORALIZED DARKEY GENERAL PASSES RUNNING THE 

GUARD DESERTERS CALLS FOR REENLISTMENT 

HURRAH FOR THE VETERANS TO RHODE ISLAND 

PLEASURES OF THE VOYAGE UP THE OLD NARRAGAN- 

SETT HOME ONCE MORE, PaGES 244-253. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

OFF FOR THE WARS AGAIN EFFECTS OF RUM — A KIND PAS- 
SENGER BACK TO OUR DUTIES GOOD-BYE, NORFOLK 

A PROMISE REDEEMED PRISON PENS REBEL INGE- 
NUITY TREATMENT OF PRISONERS A COMPARISON 

RULES AND REGULATIONS CAMP DUTIES FEARS OF 

AN OUTBREAK DEPARTURE OF THE FIFTH NEW HAMP- 
SHIRE THE INVALIDS NOVEL MODE OF ESCAPE 

GOOD-BYE, POINT LOOKOUT, PaGES 254-27O 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

at the front again location of our camp danger- 
ous life the "nine holes " our men begin to 

drop life in the pits death all around us 

lively times familiarity with bloodshed, 

Pages 271-279 
CHAPTER XIX. 

BEGINNING OF THE MINE ALL READY PLANS OF ATTACK 

PREPARE FOR THE ASSAULT THE EXPLOSION 

" FORWARD, FOURTH RHODE ISLAND ! " CONFLICTION 

OF ORDERS THE FORLORN HOPE THEY MEET THEIR 

MATCH RECALL OF THE TROOPS AFTER THE BATTLE 

HORRIBLE SCENES, PaGES 280-293 

CHAPTER XX. 

TRYING THEIR HAND THE BOMB-PROOFS A SECOND DEL- 
UGE TRADING WITH REBEL PICKETS FIRE-WORKS 

ANOTHER FUSILLADE BATTLE OF WELT ON RAILROAD 

PLAYED OUT ALL RIGHT AGAIN, . PaGES 294-302 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

ox PICKET THE VEDETTE GUARD OUTFLANKED SOLD 

AGAIN OUR NEAREST NEIGHBORS TIME OUT OF THE 

FIRST THREE YEARS' MEN — IN A BAD FIX BOYS GONE 

HOME, Pages 303-310 

CHAPTER XXII. 

hatcher's run ANOTHER BATTLE THE CLASH OF ARMS 

SECOND CORPS OUTFLANKED THE LINE OF RETREAT 

WHISTLING THEM INTO THE UNION INDUCEMENTS 

TO DESERT ELECTION DAY THANKSGIVING A NEW 

LOCATION, :?AGES 31I-321 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

FORT HELL ARMAMENT THE PICKET LINES ANOTHER 

MOVE TWENTY MILES ON A STORMY NIGHT THE 

HARDSHIPS OF A SOLDIEr's LIFE OUR WORST AND 

HARDEST MARCH SHELLING US OUT A SPLENDID 

SHOT LIFE IN FORT HELL A COOL ADJUTANT 

PICKETS ALARMED, PaGES 322-332 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

ALL QUIET ALONG THE LINES REBEL DESERTERS MAK- 
ING GABIONS PROSPECTS OF PEACE OPEN TO VIS- 
ITORS ARTILLERY DUELS CITIZENS SKEDADDLE 

NEWS FROM SHERMAN NEARLY A TRAP, PaGES 333-34I 

CHAPTER XXV. 

FALSE ALARMS ON THE ALERT BATTLE OF FORT STEAD- 
MAN LAYING FOR THEM A NARROW ESCAPE AC- 
TIVITY ON BOTH SIDES THE BALL OPENS AT IT 

AGAIN CHARGE OF THE " ZOU-ZOUS " THE ENTRY 

INTO PETERSBURG FATHER ABRAHAM HEADS THE 

LINE ON THE MARCH — DEATH OF THE SOLDIER'S 

friend tough traveling lee surrenders, 

Pages 342-3^7 
CHAPTER XXVI. 

about FACE STARVING FOR THE LAST TIME A DARK DAY 

BACK TO PETERSBURG UP TO ALEXANDRIA THE 

GREAT ARMIES BREAKING UP MUSTER OUT OF THE 

FOURTH VETERANS ALEXANDRIA TO PHILADELPHIA 

LOSS OF A COMRADE ALL HAIL, PROVIDENCE 

HOME, SWEET HOME GOOD-BYE, . . . PaGES 35S-368 

Appendix 369-3S9 



September, iSbr. 



CHAPTER I. 



OUR NEW EXPERIENCE. 

OUR first camp was called Camp Greene. It was 
situated on the Providence and Stonington Rail- 
road, about eight miles from Providence, and just 
north of the village of Apponaug. It was a fine, clear, 
level piece of land, just suited for the purposes of a camp. 

As the different companies arrived from the recruitino- 
stations, at various parts of the state, and aligned their 
company streets and pitched their numerous tents, the 
ground heretofore devoted to the pasturing of cattle, etc., 
assumed a fine military appearance, and by the time the 
regiment was full, presented a beautiful picture —tents, 
uniforms, teams, and the other paraphernalia of war, all 
being fresh, new, and clean. 

Crowds of men, women, and children visited our camp 
daily. Indeed, each day seemed a holiday, and as we 
young soldiers were the centre of observation, in our bran 
new suits of blue, and on duty with our muskets and new 
equipments, we thought there was nothing so nice as the 
life of a soldier. 

I had not been in camp but three days when I was taken 
suddenly ill with what was then called "camp fever." 
Change of diet and habit of living had its effect upon me 



14 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

seriously, and two weeks were spent under the surgeon's 
care in the hospital, I being the first hospital patient in the 
regiment. During this time I received kind care and treat- 
ment from those on duty at the hospital, from my comrades 
of Company B, and especially from Lieutenant Buffum, 
my company commander. 

The regiment now being full, was exercised daily in 
squad, company, and battalion drill on the extensive pa- 
rade-ground in front of the camp. 

We were one day presented by the ladies of Providence 
with two beautiful stands of colors, state and national, and 
of regulation size. These were received with appropriate 
ceremonies and loud, ringing cheers from the long line of 
army blue that was destined to follow those ensigns of 
constitutional liberty through the fire and smoke of battle, 
and we will state here that never were they lost to us. 
Planted on the enemy's ramparts time and again in vic- 
tory ; borne aloft in the fiercest storm of battle's death-deal- 
ing hail ; pierced and torn by the rattling grape or the 
hissing shell ; bespattered with the life-blood of their 
heroic bearers, who fell with them facing the foe, — ragged, 
blood-stained, pierced, and torn, unfit for further service, 
they were at last returned to the hands that gave them, 
crowned with victory and honor, and were placed in the 
state capitol, where they stand to-day to tell to future gen- 
erations their silent story of the heroic devotion of their 
followers, and the way that the Fourth Rhode Island Vol- 
unteers performed their duty. 

A few days after the reception of our colors the regiment 
was reviewed by General Burnside, Governor Sprague, and 
other dignitaries, and made a creditable appearance ; and 
thus, with the necessary guard duty, drills, etc., the time 
passed pleasantly until at last, on Friday evening, Oct. 4, 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 15 

1861, we received our first marching orders, and began to 
make preparations to move next day. 

Early Saturday morning the camp was astir, our knap- 
sacks were packed, tents struck, the line formed on the 
parade for the last time, and at about ii o'clock we em- 
barked on a long train of cars in waiting on the Ston- 
ington road. "All aboard!" and we began our journey. 
Arriving at Providence we disembarked, formed the line 
in the old Calender lot, near Sabin Street, and with our 
band, led by the venerable Joe Green, at the head of the 
column, we marched down Cove Street to Dorrance, 
through Dorrance, up Broad, High, and Cranston streets 
to Dexter Training Ground, thence down High, West- 
minster, and South Main streets to Fox Point Wharf, in 
all a distance of about five miles, with only one halt to 
rest. Our knapsacks, of course, were filled to their utmost 
capacity, for no man would think of going to war without 
being provided with everything that would seem needful. 
I well remember the contents of my knapsack, which I 
took as much trouble to pack as I would a trunk for a 
journey across the continent. 

There was a full supply of underclothing, woolen 
blanket, rubber, three or four pairs of socks, half a dozen 
nice handkerchiefs, dress coat, fatigue cap, supply of ink, 
letter paper, and envelopes, portfolio, photograph album, 
Bible, the journal in which these notes were kept, tobacco, 
drinking tube, comb and brush, shaving tools, two or three 
pipes, pins and needles, thread, buttons, etc., and other 
things that went to make up a soldier's kit in those days. 
Add to these the regulation equipments, haversack with 
rations, mostly obtained from home, and consisting of cold 
meats, bread and butter, cheese, pie and cake, and other 
food. Then there was the canteen, filled with — well, say 
coffee ; and then there were the patent water filters, knife 



l6 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and fork, spoon, cup and plate, shoe brush and black- 
ing, various kinds of medicine, and flannels for sudden 
changes of climate or weather, a pair of warm mittens for 
the coming winter, and other things carried in our pockets. 
Everything stated here was thought to be necessary to our 
new life as a soldier, and we would have found no fault if 
our knapsacks had been large enough to carry more. 

What a difference one year in the service made. Just 
one year from this time we were resting in Pleasant Valley, 
Md., after the battle of Antietam, and this was about our 
condition : Knapsacks — we had none. A woolen blanket 
and a piece of shelter tent twisted together, and thrown over 
our shoulders ; haversack loaded with a dozen hard tack 
and a small piece of " salt horse " ; little bag of coffee and 
sugar, mixed together ; all sorts of hats or caps ; little tO' 
eat, but -plenty of ammunition ; dirty, ragged, and with a 
full assortment of "gray backs." But we were veteran 
soldiers then. 

Well, to return to our departure from Providence. Our 
march had been a long and tedious one under our heavy 
loads, and we were not sorry when we reached the end of 
it. Throughout the line of march the streets were thronged 
with kind friends and citizens bidding us God speed and 
a safe return home. 

We went directly aboard the steamer Commodore. At 5 
o'clock, p. M., the lines were cast off, the great paddle- 
wheels began to revolve, and we were slowly moved away 
from the wharf, leaving our homes, friends, and all that 
was dear to us, amid the cheers and good-byes of the mul- 
titude, the booming of cannon, and the inspiring music of 
our band; and though we tried to be cheerful, there was 
yet a feeling of sadness in our hearts — a prayer for the 
loved ones on the shore, whose tears of parting we knew 
were fast falling, and whose prayers for our safety and 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 7 

final return were ascending on wings of love and faith to 
the great Father of all. 

We might never come back again ; and we gave an ear- 
nest and farewell look upon the old familiar objects sur- 
rounding our native place — perhaps our last, forever — 
until they faded from our sight in the deepening gloom, 
and then resolutely turning our thoughts from fond recol- 
lections of the past to the stern realities of the present and 
future, we sought a place to lay our weary bodies for the 
night's rest. 

But until after midnight sleep was impossible. Rum 
was aboard, and had taken possession of the wits of a num- 
ber of our men, who made night hideous with their bowl- 
ings, fightings, and uproar generally. As we arrived oft' 
Narragansett Pier we came in collision with a schooner, 
bound up the bay, doing no material damage, however, 
beyond tearing oft' a portion of our wheel-house. In the 
nicrht a heavy fog shut down around us, and we sailed 
slowly along, the surplus steam being let oft" in unearthly 
screeches of the whistle, which kept most of us awake till 
morning. 

At last, daylight appeared in the eastern heavens, the 
sun rose from its bed of heaving waters, the fog disap- 
peared, and we found ourselves nearing the mouth of East 
River. As we passed Fort Schuyler cheers from the 
troops ashore greeted us, and were returned by us with a 
good will. 

In passing through " Hell Gate," we found the current 
so rapid and strong that our steamer was brought to a halt 
just above the whirlpool, and although her engines were 
working steadily, the enormous current against her began 
to set her back. Her engineer then crowded on every 
ounce of steam she was capable of carrying, and she began 
to gain headway, very slowly at first, inch by inch, until 

2 



lO FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

she overcame the force and suction of the current, when 
she regained her former rate of speed and sailed majesti- 
cally up East River, towards the piers at Castle Garden, 
where she was soon safely moored. 

Our colonel, J. I. McGarty, formerly an officer in the 
regular arm}^, here came aboard, and in about an hour 
Ave cast loose from the pier, and sailing down the bay, 
landed at Elizabethport, on the Jersey shore. 

Here we took transportation by rail. We left this place 
at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, and after many weari- 
some delays on the road, we arrived at Harrisburg, Penn., 
about midnight. We had been promised a good supper at 
this place, but all we got was a cup of hot coffee. We 
stopped here over two hours, and at last, started for Balti- 
more. On this road, during the da} , two of our men were 
severely injured by falling from the cars, but we met with 
no other accident, arriving in Baltimore about lo o'clock 
Monday night. 

Disembarking, the line was formed, and marching 
through the nearly deserted streets, we at length arrived 
at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station, and clambered 
into the long train of " cattle cars" that were awaiting us. 
After a long, cold, and tedious delay of several hours, we 
at length got underway. Progressing at times very slow, 
and never above an average rate of speed, the day passed 
wearily until at three in the afternoon cries of " Washing- 
ton ! " " Washington ! " resounded through the cars, and 
all eyes were peering forward to get the first glimpse of 
our nation's capital. 

We were soon greeted with the first view of the huge, 
half-finished dome of the Capitol building, looming high in 
the air not far away, and began to get our traps together, 
readv to disembark. In a few minutes more we rolled 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I9 

into the depot yard and were soon landed, when the inevi- 
table "fall in" was heard, the line formed and immedi- 
ately marched over to a large building near the depot, fa- 
miliarly known as the " Soldiers' Rest." 

Here we had a good wash, and refreshed the inner man 
with boiled ham, bread, cheese, and hot coffee, and the 
amount that regiment put away astonished the natives. 
Our haversacks were replenished, and feeling much better, 
inside and out, we took up the line of march through the 
city to Camp Sprague, arriving there just at dark, tired of 
our long journey, pleased with the novelty of our situa- 
tion, but much disappointed with the view of Washington 
that we had obtained on the march. 

Being the capital of our great and glorious country, we 
had expected to see marble palaces, splendid gardens, and 
parks adorned with statuary and fountains, wide streets 
lined with imposing buildings, and beauty and taste dis- 
played in the general lay out and management of the city. 
Fancy our surprise at seeing so few large buildings, no 
parks or fountains, very few of what might be called hand- 
some blocks, plenty of low, flat, or shed-roofed houses, of 
all sizes, shapes, and conditions, plenty of filthy mud and 
pond holes, with plenty of ducks, geese, hogs, and dirty 
juveniles wallowing therein. 

We were glad to reach Camp Sprague. It was situated 
a short distance in the suburbs of the city, occupying a 
clear space of a few acres, and named in honor of the gov- 
ernor of our little state. On one side stood a row of bar- 
racks, built for the accommodation of our predecessors of 
the First Rhode Island Regiment, and which we now occu- 
pied for our quarters. They were quite comfortable, and 
we spent the evening in various ways until tattoo, or even- 
ing roll-call at 9 o'clock, after which we turned in ; and 



20 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

by the time taps or " out lights" were sounded, were fast 
asleep. 

Reveille, or morning roll-call, roused us from our slum- 
ber, and soon after we ate breakfast and began to look 
about us, when the order came to " pack up" for another 
move. We were to change camp. The line was formed, 
and marching about half a mile toward the city, halted in 
a vast mud hole. Mud was everywhere. The real old 
genuine Virginia mud that was as slippery as grease and 
clung to our shoes with the tenacity of glue. " By the 
right of companies to the rear into column," came the or- 
der. Wading, slipping, stumbling through the sticky 
mass a column of companies was formed, and preparations 
to pitch camp began. 

This camp received from officers and men very unan- 
imously the name of " Camp Mud." To keep us here for 
any length of time would engender sickness and disease 
among us, and soon fill our hospital and the soldiers' grave- 
yard. Therefore, two days was the length of our sojourn 
here, and on Friday, October nth, we left it cheerfully and 
with much gratification. 

At the foot of East Capitol Hill our next camp was estab- 
lished, some two miles from the former mud hole, and not 
much of an improvement. In view of this fact it was 
called Camp Mud, No. 2. We worked hard from the 
time of our arrival until dark, getting our tents aligned 
and fixed up permanently. Then spreading some nice 
clean straw on top of the sticky, damp clay, laid ourselves 
down, thoroughly tired out, for a night's good rest. 

About I o'clock, while we lay sleeping so soundly, with 
pleasant dreams of home and comfort and peace, we were 
suddenly awakened by a cold, wet sensation creeping un- 
der us, and on rising to investigate found our clothes. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 21 

blankets, and bed wet through, and the water pouring 
through the bottom of our tent in streams. A heavy shower 
was in progress outside, and the water rushing down the 
hillside close by, swept through the camp. Neglecting, 
from inexperience, to dig a ditch around our tents to carry 
off this flood of water, we now suffered the consequences. 
Being green in the business, and not having as yet acquired 
the science of keeping dry in a wet house, some of us in 
moving around inside the tent would happen to touch the 
canvas, when immediately a torrent of cold water would 
pour down upon us from that spot. We could not better 
our condition while the storm lasted, so lighting our pipes, 
that fountain of consolation, we sat down upon our knap- 
sacks to smoke and meditate upon the penetrating proper- 
ties of rain water. Nearly every tent in camp suffered in 
like manner, and their occupants were forced either to lie 
in the water or sit up until morning. 

The long, cold, stormy hours of the night at length passed 
away, the rain ceased to fall, the morning sun came forth 
in all its splendor, and we soon had everything dry and in 
good condition, not forgetting to dig a ditch around our 
tents to secure us against floods in future. 

That night, feeling ourselves comfortable, we laid down 
to get the much coveted benefit of a good long night's rest. 
Our sleep was not disturbed until about midnight, when 
we were startled from our slumber by the beating of the 
" long roll." In our extreme verdancy we hardly knew 
what this was meant for, and lay awake for a while listen- 
ing to the rattling roll of the alarm drum, until we heard 
the voice of Colonel McCarty crying out in excited tones, 
"Turn out." " Turn out there, men, lively." " Where are 
these officers?" "Get your men into line quickly." We 
jumped out of bed, buckled on our equipments in a hurry, 



22 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and got out into line, fully expecting the whole rebel army 
was close upon us. As soon as the line was formed and 
the regiment received the colonel's reprimand for not get- 
ting out more promptly, we were given orders to pack up, 
strike tents, and get ready to move. In the pitch dark- 
ness of midnight this was not very cheering, nevertheless it 
was to be obeyed, and setting to work, down came the tents 
upon which we had bestowed so much labor the day be- 
fore, and in an hour's time everything was prepared to va- 
cate the premises. At four the next morning the orders 
were countermanded and we were under the necessity of 
doing all our work over again, but we strongly suspected 
our camp was ordered down in punishment for not answer- 
ing the " long roll " more promptly. We had many les- 
sons to learn yet, and Colonel McCarty was an experienced 
and an excellent teacher. 

An incident illustrating the care and oversight our colonel 
was wont to exercise in the regiment's behalf took place a 
few days after. One morning about ii o'clock, when 
the company cooks were busily engaged in preparing the 
noon-day meal, with the camp kettles steaming and sput- 
tering over the blazing fires, our colonel took a stroll along 
the line of cooks' quarters, and inspected the meat, beans, 
rice, etc., that were cooking, tasting of each himself. In 
this tour of inspection, he found several quantities of unp»al- 
atable food, and ordered the whole mess dumped in the swill 
heap, more drawn, and the commissary to see that it was 
good enough for the colonel's table, at the same time re- 
marking that what was not good enough for him to eat 
was not lit for the men to eat, thus showing an interest in the 
welfare of his men that did not pass unappreciated by them. 

On another occasion the regiment was on the parade- 
ground, engaged in wrestling with the mysteries of " bat- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 23 

talion drill." The officers, many of them, were as little 
versed in field movements as the men, and often gave orders 
that had the efiect of mixing matters in a bad way. At 
last the old man waxed wroth, and as the regiment " closed 
en masse,'" amidst a confused babel of orders, he addressed 
them somewhat as follows : 

" Officers, go to your quarters. The men know enough 
to go without telling." This was said in such a sneering 
manner that while it made the officers feel cheap, it pleased 
the rank and file immensely, and raised the colonel another 
peg in their estimation. 

We were now invited to participate in a pleasant occasion 
at Camp Brightwood, the permanent camp of the Second 
Rhode Island Volunteers, situated about three miles away, 
the object being the presentation of a beautiful stand of 
colors from California to that regiment. The day was hot, 
and not knowing the route to get there, we got upon the 
wrong road and marched several miles further than there 
was any need of. The roads were dusty, and we welcomed 
the sight of a small stream of water that crossed the road, 
and quenched our thirst with the muddy fluid, it being the 
first time in our experience that we were obliged to drink 
muddy or brackish water. 

We arrived at Camp Brightwood about three in the 
afternoon, and after a short rest and stroll about the Second 
Regiment's beautiful camp, the line was formed to witness 
the ceremony of presentation. After due preliminaries, a 
beautiful national flag was consigned to the care of the 
Second Regiment, who received it with nine hearty cheers. 
A number of distinguished personages were present, in- 
cluding President Lincoln and Governor Sprague, of Rhode 
Island. Everything passed off pleasantly, and after the 
aflfair was over, we were dismissed and given the freedom of 



24 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the camp. INIany old friends and acquaintances were found 
and formed among the boys of either regiment. 

Several barrels of crackers and cheese were set out for 
our lunch, and after satisfying our hunger, the drums beat 
to "fall in," and bidding our brothers of the Second a 
hearty good-night and good-bye, (as we expected soon to 
goto the front,) we left their pleasant homes, and arrived 
at our camp about nine in the evening, well tired out, but 
much pleased with our visit. 

A few days after, we donned our best attire, gave our 
equipments and shoes an extra shine, and marched up 
through the streets of Washington to the White House, 
and passing through the grounds, were reviewed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln and Governor Sprague, and received high 
commendation for our neat and soldierly appearance and 
marching. 

We were soon after inspected and reviewed by Gen- 
eral Casey in our camp. Thus time passed with us in 
drills, inspections, and reviews, and the minor details of 
camp life until Saturday, October 26th. In the afternoon of 
that day orders were received to pack up and strike tents. 
By seven in the evening the camp was flat, and all in readi- 
ness to move. We waited two hours, when at 9 o'clock 
orders came to pitch tents again, so we righted our quar- 
ters once more, and turned in for the night. The next 
morning at daybreak down came the tents once more, and 
after a hasty breakfast we formed a line of march, and 
passed out on the road to Bladensburg, Md., a little vil- 
lage four miles north of Washington, on the Baltimore 
road. 

About half a mile this side of the town we went into 
camp. The place had been lately vacated by some other 
regiment, and the ground was covered with the debris of 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 25 

their sojourn here. By night, after a hard day's work 
cleaning up the ground, we had established quite a respec- 
table looking camp, much better than either of our pre- 
vious ones, and it was called " Camp Casey, near Bla- 
densburg." 

Monday, October 28th, found us again on the march, but 
this time in light marching order, to East Capitol Hill. 
Upon our arrival there, we found a very large body of 
troops in line, among which we took our position, and were 
reviewed by Gen. Geo. B. McClellan, Commander of the 
Army of the Potomac. As he rode down the line we had 
a fine chance to get a good look at him, and as he passed 
by, his eagle eye scanned each man's countenance, taking 
in at a glance the character of the men he soon expected to 
advance against the enemy's lines. We were pleased with 
his appearance, and felt that under his leadership we 
could overcome the hosts of our enemy across the Poto- 
mac River. 

After we had passed in review, the march was taken up 
for camp, where we arrived in the early evening, " broke 
ranks," put up our equipments, and made a grand rush tor 
the cook's tent. " Taps " found us in bed, quite wearied 
with our day's march and field duty. 

Wednesday, October 30th, we were regularly mustered 
into the United States service as a regiment, although our 
three years' enlistment dated from September 30th, a 
month previous. On account of some difficulty between 
himself and Governor Sprague, our colonel, McCarty, 
who had been with us from our first organization, resigned 
his charge, and Capt. Isaac P. Rodman, of the Second 
Rhode Island Volunteers, was commissioned as colonel of 
our regiment. 

This change was not agreeable to our regiment, and was 



26 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the beginning of trouble that cuhninated, a few months 
later, in the resignation of nearl}^ all our commissioned offi- 
cers. We had learned to love and confide in our old colo- 
nel, McCarty. Rough in his manner, he yet possessed a 
kind heart, and watched over the interests of his command 
as a father would over his family. Severely strict in dis- 
cipline, he was not more so with the men than with the 
officers, and it was in view of this fact that the regiment, 
comparatively green in the service, had so soon acquired 
a proficiency in drill and soldierly appearance that won 
the admiration and applause of old fathers in the service, 
and secured for us the post of honor in our new brigade. 

We were sorry to part with him, and he was never for- 
gotten by us. He took no other command during the 
war, and af'ter it was over settled down to his business in 
Washington. He had always kept track of us, and took 
great pride in our achievements. Every man of the old 
Fourth was welcome to his hearth-stone, and could count 
upon his help and sympathy at all times. 

The new colonel was received quietly, and immediately 
took command. Upon the same day we were reviewed by 
Gen. O. O. Howard, preparatory to entering his brigade. 

Thursday evening, October 31st, one of the long trains 
of cars which were passing our camp almost every hour of 
the day and night, loaded with troops and supplies for 
the great army now concentrating around Washington, 
stopped in front of our camp, and a regiment called the Fifth 
New Hampshire Volunteers, just arrived from their native 
hills, disembarked, and went into camp next to ours. 
They had traveled a long distance, were entireh' out of 
supplies, tired, and very hungry, and they sat down in 
their new camp to wait for rations to be brought to them. 

Our boys of the Fourth perceiving their distress, with the 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 27 

hospitality of a Rhode Island soldier, immediately took of 
their own rations to give to these hungry men. All hands 
turned out to help get their supper, and soon the fires of 
each company cook in the Fourth Regiment were blazing 
brightly, the full complement of kettles steaming merrily 
away, filled with coffee, meat, beans, or whatever else we 
had on hand, and in a short time, with the help of our will- 
ing hands, every man of that Fifth New Hampshire Regi- 
ment was provided with a good hot supper, which they re- 
ceived and devoured with a keen appetite, and many 
thanks and blessings on the heads and hearts of our 
Rhode Island boys. This little circumstance knit the 
hearts of these two regiments in an inseparable bond of 
friendship, and in after years was remembered and repaid 
with interest, as these pages will subsequently record. 

Friday, November ist, the regiment took up the line 
of march for Washington. Passing through the city, down 
Seventh Street to the end thereof, we entered the United 
States Arsenal grounds. The day was very warm, the 
roads dusty, and we were glad to rest under the shade- 
trees with which the yard was well provided. 

The grounds were situated on the banks of the Potomac 
River, and covered several acres, flanked on the east by 
the armories, work shops, and other large buildings. 
North of these stood a large building of brick, four stories 
in height. This was the United States Penitentiary, and 
the place where the murderers of President Lincoln were 
hung. 

After passing in line through the armory, and exchang- 
ing our old bronzed muskets for clean and bright ones 
of the same pattern, — old " buck and ball," smooth bore, 
— we fell in line again and took up the march for camp, 
at which place we arrived about dark, having marched 
about fourteen miles, our longest march so far. 



28 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

We were now fairly launched on our career as sol- 
diers of the Republic, and sometimes caught ourselves 
wishing we had staid at home. The marches seemed 
long, the burdens heavy, the drills and reviews and inspec- 
tions unnecessary, the hard beds of earth and cold nights 
of storm ver}^ uncomfortable. Our great desire to cross 
the river and meet the enemy had not as yet been granted, 
but, after all, we realized that the school of the soldier be- 
gins with the A, B, C. 

If this short experience was a type of that to come, we 
had reasons to be thankful that our lot was to be no harder, 
for as time proved, this service we had passed was but 
child's play to our subsequent experience. We were now 
in preparation for active duty in the enemy's front. Then, 
and not till then, should we find out what it was to be a 
soldier. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 29 

November-, 1861. 



CHAPTER II. 



MARYLAND. 



THROUGHOUT the State of Maryland at this time, 
the same spirit of hostiHty to the general govern- 
ment that was so publicly manifested during the 
march of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment through Bal- 
timore on the 19th of April previous, was being duly exer- 
cised in an attempt to place the state on the side of the 
Confederacy, and to prevent those who were inclined to 
remain faithful to the principles of our forefathers from 
expressing their opinion at the polls on the occasion of the 
annual state election. It was openly declared that force 
would be used, if necessary, to prevent known Union men 
from casting their vote, thereby paving the way for an 
abrupt withdrawal of the state from the Union. 

In consideration of these facts, and to protect the right 
of free and independent suffrage, it was considered neces- 
sary to station a force of troops at each of the more rebel- 
lious portions of the state, to prevent, if possible, any unlaw- 
ful proceedings or attempt at dictation on the part of the 
emissaries of the Confederate States at this election, which 
was to occur on Tuesday, November 5th. 

Consequently, on Sunday morning, November 3d, our 
brigade received marching orders. Blankets were rolled, 



30 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

three days' cooked rations packed in our haversacks, forty 
roimds of ball cartridge provided for each man, and thus 
armed and equipped in light marching order, we left our 
camp at lo o'clock in the morning, and started on the road 
to Lower Marlboro, situated about fifty miles away, and 
noted for its rebel proclivities. 

The roads were in bad condition on account of the recent 
heavy rains, and the long line dragged along mile after 
mile until dark, when, filing into the woods near a place 
called Centreville, we halted for the night, having made 
about eighteen miles. The surrounding gloom of the for- 
est was quickly made luminous by the numerous camp- 
fires, and an hour was spent in cooking, eating, and smok- 
ing, and discussing the events of the day's march, when 
the bugles sounded tattoo, the roll was called, and soon 
the whole force, but those on guard duty, were abed and 
asleep, with the forest trees for a covering and the star-lit 
canopy of heaven for a tent. 

Before sunrise the next morning we were up, breakfast 
cooked and eaten, and just at sunrise took up our line of 
march. The roads were in much better condition, only an 
occasional mud hole to bother us, and these zf ere a bother. 
They would extend from one side of the road to the other, 
and quite a distance in length. There was only room on 
each side to walk single file. Now, when the head of 
the column reached these mud holes, they branched oft' on 
either side from four ranks to single file, consequently de- 
laying the crossing of those behind them. After getting 
over on solid ground again, they would march right along 
at the usual rate of speed, and, of course, gain considerable 
upon the rear of the line which would be obliged to run 
quite a distance to catch up, and thus oftentimes the line 
would be strung out a mile in length, because the officer in 
command neglected to halt the head of the column at regi- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 3 1 

mental distance after crossing these mud holes, and give 
the rear a chance to "close up" without running a mile 
or two to do so. But all these things were learned after a 
while. 

So we trudged along that day at " route step," hour after 
hour, and mile upon mile, halting now and then for a few 
minutes' rest, and then "Forward!" would start us up 
again, and on through the woods, across the fields, until 
our aching limbs almost refused duty, and the question was 
passed along, " How much farther to Lower Marlboro?" 
At last we observed the head of the column turning off the 
road and filing into the fields and woods for a bivouac. 
" By right of companies to the rear into column." " Com- 
pany halt." "Front." " Right dress." "Front." "Stack 
arms." " Right face." " Break ranks." "March." The 
above were the most welcome orders we had received that 
day. One of our mess takes the canteens and goes to hunt 
up some fresh water ; another one brings wood and builds the 
fire, while the other two are fixing up a place for all four 
to sleep comfortably. Small boughs of the pine form our 
bed, over which is put a rubber and a woolen blanket to 
lie on, and the other three woolen blankets to cover us, 
with the other rubbers fixed to keep the rain off. By this 
time the coftee is boiling, haversacks are brought out, and 
diving into them we fetch up a piece of pork or bacon, 
and impaling it upon the end of a stick, toast it over the 
fire, and our supper is ready. After supper, which we 
etijoy with an appetite sharpened by our march and con- 
stant out-door life, we light our pipes and sit around the 
fire in pleasant conversation until tattoo, and after roll- 
call crawl in between the blankets with all our clothes on 
except shoes, and lying spoon-fashion, four of us together, 
are soon asleep. During the night one of us may wake 
up, and, tired of lying on one side, want to turn over, but 



32 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

it can't be done unless all turn at once. There is no need 
of waking up the rest in order to do this. Long practice 
has got us pretty well drilled in this respect, and all that is 
necessary is to sing out "About face !" and immediately 
all the sleepers turn over on the other side, together, with- 
out disturbing the blankets or bed. This is done several 
times in the night without more than one being awake. 

We had marched about twenty-seven miles that day and 
were very tired, consequently our sleep was sound until the 
drums beat the reveille the next morning. 

We were now within three miles of our destination, and 
after breakfast moved forward to a position near the town 
of Lower Marlboro. A detail was sent into the village to 
patrol the streets and prevent lawlessness or rioting. The 
remainder of the regiment made themselves comfortable 
brush huts, and remained within call of headquarters all 
day, in readiness for an alarm, should we be needed in 
force. But no trouble occurred other than a few pugilistic 
encounters, which were quickly suppressed, and the day 
passed off quietly. 

Our object in this direction being accomplished, Thurs- 
day morning at 8 o'clock we formed line and started 
back toward camp. Colonel Rodman led off on his fast 
stepping horse, the line of men stretched their legs far and 
fast to keep up with him, and mile after mile was passed 
without halting. For the first ten miles or so the boys 
kept together very well, but nevertheless showing the 
effects of their march. Ahead of us were a few houses 
composing a small village. We should probably stop this 
side of it : but we kept on ; then we should stop the other 
side of it : but the colonel kept his horse's nose to the front, 
and we plodded on. We were now going into camp a 
mile or two ahead : but we still kept on past that place. 
The boys were now pretty well "tuckered," and began 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 33 

shouting " Halt, give us a rest ! " " Give the horse a rest, 
never mind the men" etc. Over twelve miles had been 
passed, but our colonel still ambled over the road as if he 
was bound for a countr}- fair. Seeing no signs of a halt 
the men began to give out, and straggle along the road in 
the rear. Adjutant Curtis, with his rear guard, had his 
hands full to keep them moving. 

Comrade Whitehead, myself, and one or two others ; 
watching our opportunity, left the line while passing 
through a piece of woods, and hid ourselves away from 
the prying eyes of the rear guard. 

After resting an hour or so we started on, and espying a 
house over across the fields, went over to see what we 
could find in the w^ay of food, etc. We knocked on' the 
door and a frowzy-headed woman appeared, wdien the fol- 
lowing conversation took place : 

" How far is it to Centreville?" 

" 'Bout nine mile, I reckon." 

" Is your husband at home? We would like to see him." 

" He's done gone to Marlboro, btct the dogs is hyar." 

" Will you give us something to eat?" 

" Aint got a thing in the house. You uns has done 
cleaned us all out." 

" What will you take for that roast chicken on the table 
in there?" 

" 'Clar' to goodness, I done forgot that chicken. Gen'le- 
men, that's all there is. If I give you uns that, I shan't 
have no mo' tell ole man gits home." 

"Well, we will give you two dozen soda crackers for 
the chicken," and it was passed out and we left the house 
and its mistress, and amidst the barking of the dogs, who 
did not molest us, however, made our way down the road, 
and finding a spring of water, sat down and devoured the 
chicken. 



34 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

At lenofth, after a distance of seventeen miles had been 
traveled, the colonel's Jioisc gave out, and he was obliged 
to stop, and looking back down the road, perceived but 
a few men comparatively that had been able to out-travel 
the horse, the greater part of the regiment being straggled 
out for several miles in the rear. An hour was spent here 
to enable them to " close up," and then the order forward 
was given, and we started on again. 

On account, we suppose, of the colonel's horse being in 
bad condition, our periods of rest were a little more fre- 
quent, and the regiment kept together ver}^ well. Late in 
the afternoon we began to make inquiries of people we met 
on the road, as to the distance to be traveled before reach- 
ing Centreville, our objective point. The answer given 
depended on the manner in which the person so asked was 
traveling. Here comes a man in a light team. He has 
passed over the road in a short time. His answer is, 
" Right smart live miles, I reckon." Here is another, an 
hour after, with a heavy team plodding slowly over the 
road. He "reckons it's a right smart nine miles.'' The 
lonn^er thev had been upon the road the further it seemed. 

An old darkey leaning on the fence near by, and bowing 
and grinning all over his face, while his mouth resembled 
a country grave-yard, reckoned it was " right jam 'bout 
3^er somewhar.'' Another had it " bout two sights and a 
jam bj-e," which being interpreted, means that if you trav- 
eled as far up the road as you could see, and then as far 
again, you would find it near at hand. 

At last, towards evening, we passed a group of twenty 
or more darkeys standing at the gatewa}^ of a plantation, 
near by, and these informed us that it was "right over 
yonner, massa," and an hour later found us at halt for the 
night in the woods at Centreville, having marched about 
thirty miles that day. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 35 

Friday morning early we again started, rather stiff and 
sore at first, but we soon got limbered up, and shortly 
came in sight of the great dome of the Capitol building far 
away, and, nearer by, the village of Bladensburg, and the 
tents of our camp glistening white in the sunshine. At 
noon we arrived at camp. We were nearly all footsore 
from our hard and protracted travel, and a few were taken 
to the hospital unfit for duty. Colonel Rodman told us 
before being dismissed that we had done exceedingl}' well 
for a green regiment, having made about one hundred 
miles in four consecutive days. 

But all that concerned us was to know that the colonel's 
horse was all right, and to get our well earned rations of 
coffee, pork, and bread. 

We were soon rested and recruited, and time passed in the 
ordinary duties of camp life until Wednesday, November 
27th, when we were honored by a visit from Governor 
Sprague, of Rhode Island. He inspected our camp and the 
condition of the regiment generally, and in the evening, in 
response to a serenade given him by our band, made a short 
speech to us, assembled at headquarters, during which he 
said that the people of Rhode Island had not forgotten the 
noble body of men sent out under the colors of the Fourth 
Rhode Island Regiment, and they placed implicit confi- 
dence in this regiment to sustain the honor and integrity of 
our little state when the hour of trial should come. That 
arrangements had been made to send us a supply of tur- 
keys, chickens, and other "fixin's," that we might, upon the 
coming Thanksgiving Day (to-morrow) enjoy a feast of 
good things such as we had been wont to enjoy in years 
past at the home fireside. 

Three cheers were given for Governor Sprague, of 
Rhode Island, and our prospective Thanksgiving dinner, 
but more especially for the dinner. The governor retired, 



36 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the crowd dispersed to their quarters, and the promise of a 
good dinner on the morrow filled the hearts of the regiment 
with joy and gladness. 

Alas ! Alas ! Thanksgiving Day dawned upon us with 
a clear sky. We did not eat much breakfast, saving our 
appetite for those turkeys, etc., going out to the road occa- 
sionally to see if they were coming, and debating whether 
we should take our chicken cold, roast, fricassee, or a la 
Delmonico, when our pleasant meditations w'ere cut short 
by the sergeants, who were shouting " Pack up," '' Strike 
tents," " Fall in here lively." Now it occurred to us as civil- 
ians to answer, "See 3'ou blowed first," or " Hold on, what's 
your huny," but we remembered that we were nothing but 
soldiers, and were bound to obey without hesitation. 

In an instant the scene was changed. Down came the 
tents. Every one was soon busily engaged in packing his 
knapsack, and various suggestions were made as to the 
reason of this order. But it isn't for the private soldier to 
know, or even to ask the reason for an3^thing. Many 
thought it a ruse to show how quick we could break camp, 
but the next regiment to us, the Fifth New Hampshire, was 
also packing up and that idea was abandoned, and soon the 
drums beat to " fall in." 

About 9 o'clock, in heavy marching order, we started 
on the road to Washington. Passing through the city to 
the Potomac River we reached Long Bridge about noon, 
and crossing over set our feet for the first time on the 
" sacred soil of Virginia," and soon after the line was 
halted, and we sat down to eat our Thanksgiving dinner 
which consisted of a few "hardtack," a piece of "salt 
junk," and some water, scooped up from the ditch by the 
roadside. 

Then resuming our march we arrived, late in the after- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 37 

noon, at a point about two miles from Fairfax Seminary, 
and encamped for the night, after a march of about twelve 
miles. The next morning we started on again, and after 
a tedious march through the mud until about noon, went 
into camp near the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and 
about three miles distant from Alexandria. 

This camp was prettily situated at the foot of a high 
hill, covered an area of over one hundred acres, and was 
occupied by the Fourth Rhode Island, Fifth New Hamp- 
shire, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, and Sixty-first New York 
regiments, constituting the new brigade commanded by 
Gen. O. O. Howard. It was named " Camp California." 
These regiments were now established as a brigade of the 
great Army of the Potomac. 

A visit to the top of the hill in the rear of our camp well 
repaid one for the toilsome ascent, and presented a picture 
new and novel to our admiring gaze. Afar oft' on the north 
stretched the everlasting hills of the Blue Ridge and 
South Mountain ranges, with the broad Potomac windmg 
like a silvery thread between them, and pursuing its ever 
onward course to the sea. On the east, the city of Wash- 
ington, with its pinnacle of marble, glistening white, and 
its Capitol dome rising high above the long white mass of 
buildings below, and the Long Bridge with its never ceas- 
ing train of wagons, troops, and batteries crossing and accu- 
mulating around us. Close by us on the shore, lies the 
old town of Alexandria, but lately the death scene of 
one of the first heroes of this war. Camps without 
number are spread around us, on all sides, dotting hillside' 
and plain with thousands of white tents. On each hill- 
top, for miles around, stands one link of the mighty chain 
of fortifications that surrounds the heart of our nation. 
Vast improvements were in progress to strengthen the 
line, revealing new w^orks and defenses of all kinds. 



38 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

We look to the soutlivvard and see nothinjr but dark and 
frownino; hills and forests. The clouds of a comincj storm 
are hovering over that portion of our prospect, and all 
nature seems hushed in dismal solitude. But those dark 
woods and hills conceal thousands of our nation's enemies, 
and ever and anon from their depths, not many miles away, 
comes the deep and mournful boom ! boom ! of the guns ot 
our advance batteries, as they watch the movements of the 
rebel line. 

The sun is sinking in the west, the drums and bugles 
far and near are sounding the " retreat," and we leave this 
pleasant spot to return to our camp, and answer to our 
names at evening roll-call. 

Saturday night, December 7th, we laid under arms all 
night, prepared for an attack, as it was expected that a 
large force of rebels were moving in our front ; but no dis- 
turbance occurred, and we slept peacefully till morning. 

The Monday following, one of Professor Lowe's balloons 
passed on the road to Fairfax, being confined to the earth 
by stout ropes attached to a wagon loaded with heavy 
material, and destined to take observations of the enemy's 
movements. On the evening of the same day a party of 
ladies and gentlemen from Rhode Island visited our camp 
and were serenaded by our band. 

Tuesday night following, just after tattoo, when we 
were snugly laid aw^ay under the blankets for the night, 
and the camp was getting still, the regiment was silently 
alarmed. The sergeant poked his head into the tent, with 
the order, "Turn out, here. Turn out, every man. Don't 
make any noise, and fall in quick as possible." In a lew 
minutes the whole regiment was up and dressed, and 
formed line on the parade, our guns and ammunition were 
examined, and we started out on the road to Edsall's Hill. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOI.UNTJiHRS. 39 

A short distance from camp we were halted, and loaded 
our pieces. We were then ordered to march as silently 
as possible. Not an order was given in a loud voice. Now 
this was a nezv experience. This was exciting, and looked 
like business, but we wished it were in daylight, when we 
could see where we were going, and not have to grope our 
way forward in the semi-darkness. It was moonlight, and 
this fact made our expedition seem all the more perilous, 
as we imagined we could see a lurking foe in every bush 
or shadow of the woods. 

There was doubtless a good deal of patriotism in our 
midst, and a desire to get into action with our enemies, and 
there was also, doubtless, a good deal of the " wish I was 
at home " feeling pervading our ranks, as we stumbled 
along the road that night, peering here and there to detect 
the first signs of an enemy, and with our ears open to catch 
the sound of rifles or artillery that we expected every 
minute to open upon us. 

Reaching a position about four miles from camp we halted 
and laid low for a while, but soon arose and advanced again 
up the hill, on top of which we halted and stacked arms. 

The rest of our brigade and a battery of artillery soon 
arrived and took position on the hill. But although an 
attack was expected that night, there was none made, and 
finding a soft place in some old tobacco sheds near by, we 
managed to get a few hours' sleep before morning. 

The next morning we moved further up on the brow of 
the hill, and sent back to camp for rations, which arrived 
about noon. In the afternoon we were ordered back to 
camp. 

Saturday, December 14th, our regiment rolled their 
blankets, took forty rounds and three days' rations, and again 
marched out to Edsall's Hill. Arriving there, we relieved 
the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania of picket duty. 



40 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

This was our first picket duty in front of the enemy, and 
was attended with that unusual degree of care that marked 
the experience of the newly fledged soldier. A line of 
posts extended across the railroad, about half a mile in ad- 
vance of the reserve post. 

A code of signals was established, whereby friends in 
possession of the key could pass through the lines. We 
were ordered to challenge every one approaching or cross- 
ing the lines within gun-shot distance. 

The signals used the first day were as follows : The gun 
was held at " present," and then waved back and forth in 
front of the body several times. Should the person chal- 
lenged answer by stretching out the right arm horizon- 
tally three times, he w'as a friend and allowed to pass. 

Upon the second day the signals were changed. The 
musket was grasped by the right hand at " small of the 
stock," and by left hand at "middle band," and in this 
position lifted above the head horizontally several times. 
The answer was made by raising the right hand perpendic- 
ularly from and above the shoulder. 

Three companies w^ere required to fill the number of posts, 
and each company stood twenty-four hours on duty, the 
reliefs being, as in camp, two hours on post and four hours 
off. No sleep was allowed during the night, and to only 
the reliefs oft' duty during the day. The weather was 
pleasant and mild, and nothing occurred to disturb us. 
Every now and then the sullen boom of a gun in our front 
told us that others beside ourselves were on the alert for 
any advance movement of the enemy. 

On Wednesday morning, we were relieved by the next 
regiment of our brigade, the Sixty-first New York, and 
marched back to camp. 

We now began to build winter quarters. Parties with 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 



41 



axes were sent into the woods. Logs were cut, brought 
in, and laid the length of two tents, and the width of one. 
They were fitted closely and the tents placed on top, 
thus affording a room 6x12 feet on the inside, capable of 
accommodating eight persons. Berths were arranged along 
the sides, and other additions made, as the fancy of the oc- 
cupants dictated, while a chimney and fire-place provided 
warmth and comfort. 

Camp life progressed quietly, its monotony being relieved 
by brigade, battalion, and squad drills, guard duty, etc., un- 
til Father Time brought around December 25th, Christmas 
Day. This day all unnecessary duties were laid aside, and 
the indulgence of a holiday granted us, which we were al- 
lowed to enjoy in any manner we saw fit, within the bounds 
of discipline and good behavior. 

In the morning religious services were held in camp and 
attended by the regiment, after which a field-glass was 
presented to Colonel Rodman in behalf of the officers of 
the regiment, and was graciously received and acknowl- 
edged. 

In the afternoon a programme of sports was given in the 
presence of the whole brigade and hundreds from the 
neighboring camps. Foot-races, sack-races, wrestling 
matches, and chasing a greased pig, claimed the attention 
of a delighted audience, and received much well-earned 
applause. 

During the day a present from Rhode Island to each 
soldier of our regiment, consisting of a pair of socks and 
warm woolen mittens, arrived, and thus we passed our first 
Christmas in the army pleasantly and with much profit. 

Tuesday, December 31st, a regular inspection of our reg- 
iment by General Howard took place. This foreboded a 
movement of some sort, and we were not much surprised 



42 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

when at 2 o'clock Thursday morning, an orderly from bri- 
gade headquarters rode into camp with orders for us to move 
immediatel}'. In half an hour the camp was waked up 
and astir. We packed up, struck tents, and at 8 o'clock 
the line was formed and started out on the parade. 
Here General Howard, whom we had learned to love and 
reverence during our short connection with his brigade 
gave us a few words of parting and bade us good-bye, 
and success in our future encounters with the enemies of 
our country. We gave him three rousing cheers, which 
were answered by the other regiments as we left the 
grounds and bade Camp California, with all its pleasant 
associations, farewell forever. 

About noon we reached Long Bridge, and crossing, 
passed down Seventh Street to the United States Arsenal, 
where we exchanged our old "buck and ball" muskets 
for new Belgian rifles. After a short rest we proceeded 
back through the city to the " Soldiers' Rest," near the 
Baltimore and Ohio depot, where we quartered for the 
night. 

Friday morning we arose earl}^ got a good supply of 
rations, and clambered aboard a long train of cattle-cars 
in waiting for us. After some delay we left Washington, 
passing our old camp at Bladensburg, now occupied by 
other troops, and after an all day's ride reached Annapolis, 
Md. Disembarking, we marched toward the point, and 
inside the grounds of the United States Naval Academy, 
encamped. At this place were concentrating the great sea 
and land forces that were to constitute Burnside's Expedi- 
tion, and for this purpose we had been transferred from the 
Army of the Potomac to follow the fortunes and flag of 
our noble state's hero, Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. 

Here were also a new regiment, just arrived from home, 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 43 

called the Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers, and the boys of 
both reghnents soon intermingled, and friendly hand-shak- 
ing was, for a while, the order of the day. 

Full of that glorious enthusiasm that pervades the heart 
of the new volunteer, the happiness of these boys was 
great, and was only marred by one sad disappointment, 
and that was, according to their own statement, that " they 
had not had any butter or cheese since they left Rhode 
Island, three days ago." 

Self-denial found heroes in its practice here, and though 
they suffered for the want of these simple luxuries of life, 
yet they consoled themselves with the thought that these 
hardships they were called upon to endure were for the 
good of their country, and " worketh in them a far greater 
crown of rejoicing." 



44 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

'January, 1S62. 



CHAPTER III. 



D 



thp: old "eastern queen." 

URING our stay at Annapolis our pay-master 
appeared and supplied us with a desirable quan- 
tity of hard cash, and as a natural result much 
"fire-water" found its way into our camp, many were 
affected thereby, and the camp became the scene of drunken 
fights and brawls. 

The guard-house was soon filled, and in several of the 
company streets could be seen one or more drunken soldiers 
tied hand and foot to the front pole of their respective tents, 
and singing, shouting, or cursing, as their fancy dictated. 
Fights in camp were frequent, and but little sleep was en- 
joyed that night. 

Occasions like these were rare among our boys, and con- 
sidering the hardships and privations of a soldier's life, it 
cannot but be expected that such scenes should occur under 
such circumstances. But all this passed away shortly, and 
the regular routine of duty went on as before. We were 
put in good order ; new clothes, new shoes, and equipments 
were drawn and all preparations were made for a sea-voyage 
and a lively campaign. Various speculations were indulged 
in as to our destination, but it was known onl}^ to those high 
in authority in the councils of the government, and all we 
could do was to await developments. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 45 

On Tuesday, January 7th, we received orders to pack up 
and strike tents, which was soon accomphshed, and form- 
ing the line we marched down to the wharf and aboard the 
steamer Eastern ^itcen. This vessel was formerly em- 
ployed as a passenger steamer on the line between Boston 
and Portland, and had now been chartered by the govern- 
ment to transport troops on this expedition. It was fitted 
up between decks with tiers of berths, and could accommo- 
date about nine hundred men with their usual traps and 
baggage. A certain portion of these quarters was assigned 
to each company, and we stowed away our knapsacks and 
equipments in the berths allotted to us, and then w^ent up on 
deck to see the steamer get underway. In a short time the 
lines were cast oft', and we swung out into the stream, and 
dropped anchor among that portion' of the fleet that was 
already loaded and ready to sail. 

There were so many regiments to transport, and so 
many vessels to get ready for the voyage, that Thursday, 
January 9th, dawned upon us still at anchor off the piers. 
At last, at half-past seven on the morning of that day the re- 
port of a signal gun from General Burnside's headquarters 
was heard, and immediately that portion of the fleet con- 
stituting the first division, weighed anchor, and steamed 
away down the bay amid much cheering and music of the 
various bands. It was a novel and beautiful sight to 
watch this great fleet of vessels get under way, and with 
colors flying and bands playing, follow one another, as if 
in a grand triumphal procession, and it filled our young 
hearts with enthusiasm. 

At 8 o'clock another gun from headquarters started the 
second division, who, in like manner, were soon parting 
the waves in the wake of their predecessors. 

Two hours later and at 10 o'clock, at the report of the gun, 
ours, the third division, weighed anchor, and ^^ e broke 



46 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

out into cheers and shouts, while our musicians of the band 
blowed to the extent of their lungs, and our steamer 
proudly swept on down the bay with all colors flying. 
Nearly every steamer had one or more sailing vessels in 
tow, loaded with supplies, and attached to our steamer was a 
bark and a schooner. 

As night drew on apace, we retired below to our berths, 
but not to sleep, for it had been discovered that other pas- 
sengers besides ourselves were aboard, and seemed by in- 
spection of our clothing and blankets to be making them- 
selves entirel}^ at home. As we subsequently learned, this 
boat had been previously loaded with a regiment of men 
who were so plentifully supplied wdth vermin that they 
were unable to carry them all away, and a great number 
were left here to breed and accumulate. Having had their 
rations cut off for some time, they were the more savage 
and blood-thirsty, and the moment we laid ourselves down 
in the berths, they advanced their forces and speedily 
found access to our flesh, of which they took hold with a 
vengeance. 

Candles were in great demand that night. Searches 
were instituted, and in every part of the boat men were 
seen hunting up the little rascals and killing them oft' by 
scores, but all to no purpose. Without fresh water to 
wash our clothes or bodies, without a semblance of 
cleanliness about the lower deck, where we were obliged 
to sleep, without proper ventilation, the air foul and hot, 
they gained upon us, and soon every man, from the private 
to the colonel, had a full supply of these vermin, of all 
sizes, shades, and nationalities, and the " game of itch and 
scratch " was indulged in by all. 

It was in vain to tr\' to get rid of them. They were pos- 
sessed of more lives than a cat. During our term of ser- 
vice we made their acquaintance many times, and many 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 47 

were the methods adopted to rid ourselves of these pests. 
Clothes were boiled in hot soap suds by the hour, but that 
was no good. The old and infirm members of the tribe 
would succumb to this operation, but the young ones 
seemed rather to enjoy it, and appeared as lively as ever. 
Build a fire and burn the clothes up, and when the coals 
had burnt out and became dead, you could see these little 
rascals skirmishing around among the ashes, looking for 
something to eat. Their appetite was enormous, and they 
fed about forty times a day on an average. To crush them 
between the thumb nails was a favorite passtime, but even 
then, with their head and fore paws they seemed to make 
faces at you. They were, indeed, an irrepressible party, 
and stuck to one closer than a brother. They were of 
various sizes and tribes, and always colonized together in 
various parts of the clothing. There was the big white 
louse, about an eighth of an inch or more in length, and a 
savage biter. Another of about the same size with a black 
mark on his back was called Roman Catholic. A little 
red louse was a lively and unscrupulous enemy, and a big 
black fellow would make a man squirm when he exercised 
himself. Their number on the boat was estimated up into 
the millions, and was not reduced to any great extent 
while the boat was occupied by troops. Many stories of 
our acquaintance with these little fellows might be re- 
corded here, but, we fear, would not obtain credit, except 
among old soldiers, who, each and all, have such circum- 
stances impressed upon their memory by actual experience. 
But one story we will relate which is too good to be lost. 

A certain regiment received a number of recruits, and 
these men, coming from some "camp of distribution," 
were covered with these vermin. The day after their ar- 
rival they were placed on the picket line, the enemy not 
being within ten miles of them. In the afternoon of that 



48 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

day one of them fired his piece. Immediately everybody 
was up and in arms, and the other pickets also began fir- 
ing. The reserve picket hastened out to the line while the 
regiment mustered on the parade in readiness to support 
them ; but when the line was reached, nothing that looked 
like a rebel could be seen, and still those pickets kept 
loading and firing to the front. The officer of the picket 
advanced, and being an old veteran himself, stepped in 
front of one of them, and w^iile asking him what he saw to 
fire at, gazed closely into his face and discovered the 
wdiole cause of the trouble. The lice from the man's eye- 
brows had crawled down to the end of the eye-lashes and 
hung down in front of his eyes, creating the impression 
that he saw gray-backed rebels in front of him, at which 
he thought it his duty to fire. It is needless to say that 
man was sent to the rear in a hurry. 

But to continue on our journey. During our first night 
underway, we lost our tow of sailing vessels in the fog by 
the pardng of the tow line, and they soon drifted out of 
sight. After ringing the bell, and blowing the whistle for 
some time, we dropped anchor, and lay to until daylight. In 
the morning the fog cleared up, we found our missing 
charges, and steaming up to them the cable was again 
made fast, and we sped on our wa}', arriving off Fort Mon- 
roe Saturday morning, January nth. Here we found the 
whole expedition ready to start for their final destination. 

This great fleet, now prepared to strike a telling blow at 
some point of the Confederacy, was composed as follows : 

" The land force w^as divided into three brigades. The 
first was composed of the Twenty-third, Twenty-fourth, 
Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts and the 
Tenth Connecticut regiments of infantry, and was under 
the command of Brig. -Gen. John G. Foster. 

*« The second was composed of the Sixth New Hampshire, 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 49 

Ninth New Jersey, Twenty-first Massachusetts, Fifty-first 
Nev/ York, and Fifty-first Penns3'lvania regiments of in- 
fantry, and was under the command of Brig. -Gen. Jesse 
L. Reno. 

" The third was composed of the Fourth Rhode Island, 
Eighth and Eleventh Connecticut, Fifty-third and Eight}'- 
ninth New York regiments of infantry, a battalion of the 
Fifth Rhode Island Infantry, and Batter}^ F, First Rhode 
Island Light Artillery, and was under command of Brig.- 
Gen. John G. Parke. 

" A naval brigade recruited in New^ York by the name 
of Volunteer Marine Artillery, under the command of 
Colonel Howard, was also especially organized for this 
expedition. 

" The regiments were full, and the command numbered 
twelve thousand strong. For the transportation of the 
troops and their material, forty-six vessels were employed, 
eleven of vvhich were steamers. To these w^ere added 
nine armed propellers to act as gunboats, and five barges 
fitted and armed as floating batteries, carrying altogether, 
forty-seven guns, mostly of small calibre. These formed 
the army division of the fleet. 

"A fleet of twenty vessels of different sizes, mostly of 
light draft, for the navigation of the Albermarle and Pamlico 
sounds, but carrying a heavy armament of fifty-five guns, 
accompanied the expedition under command of flag offi- 
cer Louis M. Goldsborough. 

" The names of the vessels composing the army division 
w^ere as follows : 



Picket, 


... 4 


Guns. 


C 


apt. Thos. P. Ives. 


Hussar, 


... 4 


( i 




" Frederick Crocker 


Pioneer, 


... 4 


i i 




" Chas. E. Baker. 


Vidette, 


. • • 3 


i i 




" John L. Foster. 


Ranger, 

4 


... 4 


i i 




" Samuel Emerson. 



50 



FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 



Lancer, . 


• 4 


Guns. 


Capt. U. B. Morley. 


Chasseur, 


• 4 


( ( 


" John West. 


Zouave, . 


• 4 


(( 


" William Hunt. 


Sentinel, . . 


• 4 


i ( 


" Joshua Couillard. 


" The barges 


were : 






Rocket, . . . 


v5 


Guns. 


M. Mate James Cake. 


Grenade, 


1 
O 


i 4 


" Wm. B. Avery 


Bombshell, . 


. 2 


4 4 


" Dow^ney. 


Grapeshot, . 


2 


4 4 


" N. B. McKean 


Shrapnel, 


2 


4 4 


" Ernest Staples. 



" The gunboats of the naval division were the : 
Philadelphia (flagship), . Act. Master Silas Reynolds. 
Stars and Stripes, 5 Guns. Lieut. R. Worden. 



Louisiana, . 
Hetzel, . 
Underwriter, . 
Delaware, . 
Commodore Perr 
Valley City, 
Commodore Barn 
Hunchback, 
Southtield, . 
Morse, . 
Whitehead, 
J. N. Seymour, 
Shawsheen, 
Lockwood, 
Ceres, . 
General Putnam, 
Henry Brinker, 
Granite, 



4 



" A. Murray. 

" H. K. Davenport. 

Wm. N. Jeffers. 
'• S. P. Qiiackenbush. 
" Chas. W. Flusser. 
" J. C. Chaplin. 
Act. Lieut. R. T. Renshaw. 
E. R. Calhoun. 
C. F. W. Behm. 
Act. Master Peter Hayes. 

" Chas. A. French. 

" G. W. Graves. 

T. G. Woodward. 
" C. L. Graves. 

" John McDiarmid. 

W. S. Hotchkiss. 
" John E. Giddings. 



I " Mate E. Boomer." 
The Coinniodore Perry's armament was increased two 
guns after the batde of Elizabeth City, Feb. 15, 1862. 
"The naval division was under the general command 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 5 1 

of Commander S. C. Rowan, second to the flag officer. 
Most, if not all of these vessels were improvised men-of- 
war, fitted from ferry-boats, propellers, river steamboats, 
canal boats, etc." * 

Saturday night the fleet weighed anchors and put out to 
sea. As we passed Cape Henry light and were fairly on 
the "bosom of the briny deep," the weather grew much 
warmer and the wind began to strike us in fitful gusts that 
to old seamen portended a gale, and on Sunday morning 
rapidly increased, while the sea lifted its foaming crests 
higher and higher, and this beautiful and powerful fleet, 
that had but yesterday flaunted defiance to all its opposers, 
was soon scattered over the face of the heaving waters 
and tossed about at the mercy of the winds and waves, 
each vessel striving to hold its own. 

Our own steamer bravely bowed herself to the seas, 
which running to an enormous height, threatened with each 
succeeding wave to engulf us all in those awful depths. 
As she rose on the crest of a mighty wave and poised a 
moment, we would cast a hasty glance around us and see 
perhaps fifty sail of vessel, on all sides of us, and then 
plunging down, down, till it seemed as if we were really 
going to the bottom, another huge wave would roll up 
toward us, towering high above our decks, and our vessel 
would strike it, keel over almost on her beam ends and rise 
to its crest, and rolling over on the other side plunge down 
into the trough of the sea to rise again as before. Each 
time we lifted we could see sometimes a dozen, sometimes 
more sail of our fleet, who, like us, were rolling over the 
great seas. 

Most of our men were suffering from sea-sickness, and 
those of us who were not thus affected were posted about 

* From Woodbury's Biirnside and the Ninth Army Corps. 



^2 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the ship as guards, and in all exposed places were securely 
lashed to prevent being washed or Hung overboard. 

All Sunday night we wallowed in the midst of this hur- 
ricane of waters, and at 3 o'clock on Monday morning, the 
bright glare of Hatteras Light, looming up on our starboard 
quarter, gave us a hope that we might pass safely over the 
bar into the smoother waters of Hatteras Inlet. 

We here annex a copy of J. T. Headley's account of the 
condition of our fleet at this time : 

" The largest vessels had been contracted for to draw 
only a certain depth of water that was known to exist on 
the ' Swash,' but now they were found to draw more, and 
hence they were totally useless to the expedition. 

" Burnside had reasons to expect the storm, for this part 
of our coast, at all times dangerous to navigation, is espe- 
cially so in midwinter, — but not this deception respecting 
the draft of his vessels. His great heart was overwhelmed 
at the magnitude of the disaster that had overtaken him, 
yet it did not yield to despair. A religious man, and be- 
iievino- in the righteousness of his cause, he felt confident 
that the Supreme Governor of the universe would overrule 
it for good. 

"The propeller City of Nczv York foundered on the bar, 
and for forty-eight hours lay at the mercy of the sea, the 
waves making a clean breach over her. She was laden 
with ammunition, tents, blankets, and valuable stores, and 
her loss would be a terrible blow to the expedition. But 
though thirty vessels lay in sight, they were unable to af- 
ford any relief, and all Tuesday and Tuesday night she 
wallowed among the breakers — a helpless wreck. All her 
boats but one had been carried away or crushed, and her 
despairing crew lashed themselves to the rigging to pre- 
vent being swept away by the seas that incessantly rolled 
over her. Their destruction seemed inevitable, when two 
mechanics from Newark, N. J., William H. and Charles 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 53 

A. Beach, volunteered the desperate undertaking of launch- 
ing the last remaining boat and pulling through the surf to 
the fleet. They succeeded with the aid of three others, and 
obtaining surf boats saved the entire crew. The vessel, 
however, was a total loss. 

" The steam gunboat Zouave sank at her anchorage, 
and a transport laden with stores went down on the bar. 

" The Ninth New Jersey Regiment lay outside, aboard 
the Ann E. Thompson, and Colonel Allen and Surgeon 
Weller took a boat and pulled over the bar, through the 
inlet, to report their condition. Having accomplished 
this perilous undertaking successfully, they attempted to 
return, when the boat swamped in the heavy seas, and 
they both perished. 

" Other vessels got aground ; one transport was blown to 
sea, and for five days was without fresh water. The 
Pocahontas (the vessel containing the stores, rations, 
clothing, teams, and horses of the Fourth Rhode Island 
Regiment) was wrecked, and out of 123 horses on board 
all but seventeen perished. 

" The situation in which Burnside now found himself was 
enough to fill a less resolute heart than his with despair. 
The magnificent fleet, that but a few days before had 
crowded after his flag as he moved over the ocean was 
now scattered and wrecked, his ammunition and stores 
at the bottom of the sea, while his best vessels lay tossing 
outside, unable to cross the bar. To lighten these, so that 
they could be got over was the first object to be secured, 
and after incredible labor was accomplished. 

" But even then he could do nothing, for the weather was 
terrible, even for this inhospitable coast, and storm after 
storm swept him with a fury that threatened to make a 
complete end of the destruction that had begun. The 
immense pains that had been taken to keep the precise 
point against which the expedition was to operate a secret 



54 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

had all been in vain. The elements had revealed it to the 
enemy, and ample time was now given him to prepare for 
his defense. Surprise was out of the question, and it any- 
thing was to be accomplished it must be by hard fighting. 
At all events, this imposing land and naval force must lie 
idle the remainder of the month." 

Our steamer struggled bravely with the swift running 
seas as we approached the bar, and all hands were called to 
keep in the centre of the boat to steady her as she went 
over ; the dangerous surf swept her from stem to stern, and 
now and then she would strike heavily on the bar. But a 
few moments of suspense and we were safely over, and 
soon our ponderous anchor was hove and found a resting- 
place in the shifting sands of Hatteras Inlet. 

But even here we were in constant danger of being 
stove by collision with vessels which were dragging their 
anchors and drilling about almost helpless in the fierce 
gales that succeeded one another for several da3s. But 
this storm, like all others, at last blew over and we set to 
work to repair damages, and to get ready to proceed to 
our destination, w^hich now, we were aware, was Roanoke 
Island. 

During the month that w^e laid here, the monotony of 
our life on shipboard was relieved at times by many funny 
incidents, a few of which I will relate. 

Owing to our rations on our supply steamer being for 
the most part lost in the storm, we were put upon a daily 
allowance of one pint of w^ater, which tasted strongly of 
kerosene oil, for it had been stored for our use in kerosene 
barrels. Added to this we received two pints of weak coffee 
per day, twelve hard tack, and a small piece of meat, 
either pork or salt junk. Fresh water was so scarce that 
guards were put over the barrels, to keep the men from 
stealing enough to quench their thirst engendered by eat- 
ing our salt food. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 55 

There was a condenser in operation for turning sea 
water into fresh. But at last our supply of water got so 
low that even this would not supply the demand, and w^e 
could not get enough to cook with. The boys would 
crowd around the condenser at such a rate, that a guard 
had to be stationed to keep them from stealing the water. 

Comrade James Kenney, of Company B, was placed 
here on guard one night, and being tired of standing up all 
the time, began to look around for something to sit down 
upon. A barrel of molasses was near at hand, and offered 
a good seat. As it stood upon end, Jim was obliged to 
jump up onto it, but no sooner was he comfortably seated 
than the head of the barrel caved in, and down went poor 
Jim into the barrel until nothing could be seen of him but 
his long legs and arms thrashing about, and the molasses 
flying in all direcdons. Help was soon at hand, but he 
was wedged in so tight and being the largest man in the 
company, it was with much difficulty, and pulling and 
tugging, that he was at last liberated. He was covered 
with molasses from head to foot. 

Colonel Rodman, hearing of the accident, ordered the 
molasses to be dealt out to the boys, and every man re- 
ceived a supply, none the less acceptable on account of 
Jim's baptism therein, and the next day we enjoyed a feast 
of molasses and hard-tack. There was plenty of it, and 
being half starved on short rations, the boys filled up with 
molasses. 

The eftects of this change of diet, can be imagined. 
About midnight the boys began to crawl out on deck, and 
such a sight never was witnessed before or since. It is 
safe to say that no more molasses was eaten by that regi- 
ment for one while. 

When the weather would allows a party of our cooks 
were sent ashore, and managed to cook a kettle or two of 
beans, and when they returned we had a feast. 



56 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

One day Company B received a supply of rotten pork 
that left to itself would almost travel alone. Poor food 
was the rule, but this was a little too much for human en- 
durance. Placing it in a cracker-box, the boys formed a 
solemn procession headed by the drum and fife playing the 
dead march, and the box of pork, carefully borne by two 
bearers appointed for the solemn occasion, and followed 
by nearly all of the company as mourners, marched slowly 
through the ship, up past the officers' quarters up on the 
hurricane deck, to the side of the vessel, where, after due 
preliminaries, the departed was tenderly placed on the end 
of a board and slid off" into the sea. 

Captain Buffum made his appearance, and with a scowl 
on his countenance demanded to know what they were 
doing. He was told by "Shoemaker" Chace, that we 
were paying our last respects to an old friend, and im- 
pressed with the solemnity of the occasion, and the mani- 
festations of grief upon all sides, he put his hands to his 
face and wept aloud. 

The procession wended its way back to its quarters, and 
a council of war was held. 

It was well known that the officers' mess had been sup- 
plied with many stores from the sutler's headquarters, con- 
sisting of canned goods, whiskey, cheese, butter, etc., and 
that some of these luxuries were stored away in the bulk- 
head just forward of our company quarters. It was decided 
to make a raid, and an hour in the night was selected when 
most of the men between decks would be asleep. Noise- 
lessly our party made its way to the " bulk-head," and 
after a short time loosened the doors and got inside. What- 
ever stuff they could get their hands on, was quickly passed 
out and secreted among the blankets or berths. The boys 
worked lively, fearing the appearance of the guard every 
moment, and secured quite a store of good things. 

The members of this gang of raiders kept pretty quiet 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 57 

for a while, but in a few days the effects of their raid be- 
gan to appear. Pineapple cheeses seemed to be plenty, 
and were cut up in chunks and sold at a very large margin. 
One individual was the happy possessor of a bottle of pep- 
per sauce, and dealt it out to his less fortunate comrades 
at " ten cents a squirt." Whiske}^ commanded a high pre- 
mium, from five to ten dollars a half pint ; but money was 
plenty, and the boys had no way to spend it except by cir- 
culation among themselves. 

Many spent hours in playing " blufT," " poker," or 
" shoemaker lou," and much hard cash changed hands 
again and again over the cards. 

Many employed their time in writing to their friends at 
home, watching the fleet from the upper deck, and in vari- 
ous other ways, while not a few could be seen night or day 
stripped to their waist, and busily engaged hunting down 
and murdering a few of those little fiends, that roamed at 
will over the boat and persons therein confined. 

One day while quite a number of the boys were so en- 
gaged, skirmishing after " gray-backs," who should make 
his appearance below but General Parke who was on a 
tour of inspection. Feeling rather ashamed to be caught 
by our general in that plight, they began to put on their 
clothes in some confusion, when the general smilingly re- 
marked, " Don't be alarmed boys, I find one occasionally^ 
myself. " 

In this connection I hold Comrade Collins, of Company 
B, responsible for the following : 

A vast number of these graybacks had formed a sort of 
colony in the seat of Sergeant Hunt's breeches. Upon in- 
spection of the same the sergeant became horrified. It 
was impossible to get rid of them by any ordinary means, 
and after many plans had been discussed, he at last cut the 
whole seat out of his pants, graybacks and all, and cast the 
piece overboard to drown them all at once. What was 



58 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

his amazement to see them shoulder the whole piece of 
cloth, and in spite of the heavy sea that was running, walk 
ashore with it. The sergeant's surprise found expression 
in but four words : 

" Well, nihcd—d:' 

But a rift in the clouds appeared at last, and a ray of 
sunshine lighted the dismal gloom of our prison-ship. 
One morning we heard the cry, " Volunteers wanted for 
the navy." Nine men of each company were called to 
volunteer as " marines," to serve aboard the two gunboats. 
Commodore Perry and Comiiiodore Barney. 

We jumped at this offer like a hungry fish at the bait. 
In a few minutes the following squad of volunteers were 
accepted and detached for duty on the Perry, from Com- 
pany B : 

Corporal Charles Larkham. 
Privates Geo. H. Allen, (the writer,) 

" Charles Budlong, 

" Daniel Kelly, 

" Geo. W. Preston, 

" Henry Roberts, 

" Charles Turner, 

" Archie A. Williams. 
We immediately packed up and fell in line on the main 
deck, and soon the Comuwdore Perry steamed alongside, 
and forty-five men, including the above, passed on board, 
bidding good-bye to our comrades and the old Eastern 
^teen, but not without some regrets at leaving our old 
quarters, where we had spent some happy hours among the 
many miseries that had surrounded us. The Commodore 
Barney then steamed alongside, and took ofl^' the remain- 
der of the detachment. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERt^. 59 

Febriiarv, 1S62. 



CHAPTER IV. 



A 



ROANOKE ISLAND. 

S soon as we had anchored at some distance from 
the Eastern ^iccn, we were formed in line aft, on 
the quarter deck, and introduced to Captain Flus- 
ser, commanding this boat. He addressed us in a few 
words to the effect that in our new position as marines 
aboard this gunboat, it was expected that we would do our 
duty, and he hoped he should have the pleasure of render- 
ing a good report of us when we were discharged from 
this detached service and returned to our regiment. We 
were then dismissed and sent forward to our quarters. 

Captain Flusser was a man of about thirty or thirty-five 
years of age, slight in build, with a pale, stern counte- 
nance, with but very few words, and never a smile for any 
one ; a man who seemed to brood over some deep-seated 
trouble or affliction, and who kept within himself, seldom 
mingling with the other officers, and seldom outside his 
cabin except for exercise or on duty ; courageous to a de- 
gree of foolhardiness, we foresaw that under his command 
we should be likely to get close-handed with the enemy 
whenever the opportunity offered. 

His lieutenant, Mr. Thomas, was as far to the other ex- 
treme : nearly or quite six feet in height, and broad in pro- 



6o FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

portion, with a big red nose and florid face, indicating a 
strong appetite for gin. Grouty, ugly, and cowardly, he 
was at last dismissed the service in disgrace some time 
after we left the boat. 

There were also master's mates, and other petty officers, 
more or less imbued with importance, gauged to the size of 
their shoulder straps. 

On the 19th of March, 1864, Captain Flusser, then 
in command of two wooden gunboats, attempted the fool- 
hardy venture of sinking the ironclad rebel Alhcrmarle^ 
and, as a result, his vessel was sunk and himself killed. 

After our introduction to Captain Flusser, as above 
stated, we stowed our traps away in the room assigned for 
them, and immediately went aft to a large wooden tank 
called the scutde butt. This was tilled with fresh water 
for the use of the ship's crew. It w^as the first clean fresh 
drinking water we had seen since leaving Annapolis, and 
we drank our fill of it. We were then divided into 
watches, the ship's crew forming the first watch, and the 
rest of us the second and third watches. This steamer 
formerly plied as a ferry-boat in some of the northern 
ports, and was a double-ender. She was plated on the 
sides with half-inch iron, and was provided fore and aft 
wath swing plates that could be swung outside her guards 
in time of action, leaving her decks clear for gun work. 

Her armament consisted of two one hundred-pound shell 
guns, one mounted on the forw^ard deck, and the other alt, 
besides a full supply of ammunition, cutlasses, revolvers, 
boarding pikes and axes, grappling irons, etc. 

We slept in hammocks swung from the cross beams in 
the gangway amidships. 

Our food consisted of salt beef, pork, beans, and hard- 
tack. We were also allowed a quantity of flour which was 
made into " duft'" twice a week. Lobscouse was also 
served up now and then. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 6l 

At seven bells, or half-past 6 o'clock in the morning, 
and at seven bells, or at half-past ii at noon, the " Jack o' 
the dust " appeared at the scuttle butt, aft, with his pail of 
grog, and the " bos'n " piped all hands to "splice the 
main brace," after which, with an appetite sharpened by 
the sea air and healthy exercise, we could devour our 
pork and bread with a good relish. 

Our duties ran something like the following : 

At the sound of the boatswain's whistle each man is ex- 
pected to give his attention and listen to the order which 
is to follow, and which is uttered in the well-known drawl- 
ing, sing-song tones of an old man-of-war's man. 

At four bells in the morning, — that is four strokes upon 
the ship's bell, — or 6 o'clock, after one or two long blasts 
upon the bos'n's whistle, the cry is sounded, " Down all 
hammocks," and we tumble out lively, dress, unlash our 
hammocks, and stow them away in their proper places. 

Five bells strikes, and "Holystone decks" is the call. 
Then commences the disagreeable work of scrubbing and 
washing down decks. This lasts nearly an hour. Brooms, 
pails, and swabs are brought into requisition. Everything 
is wet and cold, and everybody disgusted. 

Seven bells, and the call is sounded, " Splice the main 
brace." Now we look alive. No hiding or shirking now. 
Every man is found promptly in his place, and anxious to 
be foremost in his duty. 

Eight bells, 8 o'clock, " Breakfast " is called, for which 
we are allowed one hour. 

Two bells, 9 o'clock, " Gun's crew to clean bright 
work " resounds through the ship, and those composing the 
crew of each gun go to work under the supervision of a 
petty officer, to polish more brightly the brass work of the 
sun. 

An hour's drill at the guns, and seven bells again strikes. 



62 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The "main brace" needs splicing, after which dinner 
call is sounded. 

With the exception of an hour's drill at the guns in the 
afternoon, the time is spent in various ways, or in getting 
the ship read}^ for any action for which she may be called. 

At three bells, or half-past 5 p. m., supper is called. At 
four bells, or 6 o'clock, the " dog watch " is set. At five 
bells, or half-past 6, " Up all hammocks." We take our 
hammocks from the '' chest'' and lash them in their 
proper places below, and the rest of the evening is spent by 
those not on watch in spinning yarns, singing, smoking, 
etc. This was the only time we were allowed to smoke, 
and were obliged to light our pipes from a lantern that 
was lit and hung in the gangway for that purpose, none of 
us beino- allowed to carrv matches. 

At seven bells, or half-past 7, we begin to retire, and 
at eight bells, or 8 o'clock, the call is sounded, •' Put out 
all lights, pipes, and cigars," and every man not on watch 
is required to be in his hammock, quiet reigns over the 
ship, and swinging in our comfortable beds, as the boat 
gently rolls with the sea, we are rocked to sleep as sweetly 
as in the days of our babyhood. 

At each succeedino; bell throuo-h the nivrht the watch on 
post is required to sing out the number of his post, time ot 
night and state of afiairs, commencing with No. i. At 
the stroke of five bells, for instance, the watch cries, 
"Post No. I, half-past 10, and all's well," and so on, to 
the last post, which is situated in front of the captain's 
quarters, thus assuring him of the safety of the ship at 
each half hour of the night. 

At eight bells, midnight, the second watch relieves the 
first, and at eight bells again, or 4 o'clock, the morning 
watch, composed of those who held the " dog-watch" the 
evening before, relieves the second. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 63 

At four bells, 6 o'clock, the bos'n's whistle sounds through 
the ship, starting all to go forward in the duties of another 
day. 

Cleanliness of food, quarters, and clothing, was strictly 
enjoined. One half-hour before serving each meal, the 
ship's cook was obliged to carry to the captain a portion of 
each article cooked. This the captain inspected by tasting 
himself of it, and if he considered it good and healthy, it 
was served out to the crew. If he found it otherwise, it 
was ordered to be thrown overboard and better food fur- 
nished. 

Punishments for offenses sometimes occurred, one mode 
of punishment being the "trice andguncap." It consisted 
in having the two thumbs tied together tightly with a rope 
yarn. A rope was then passed over a beam, andthe whole 
body was hoisted till the toes just touched the deck, the 
whole weight of the body hanging by the thumbs. To 
drown the sufferer's cries of torture, a black canvas bag, 
called the guncap, was drawn over the head and fastened 
down. Thus he was left to hang as long as his sentence 
permitted, or his strength held out, sometimes two hours, or 
even longer. This mode of punishment was so severe 
that the men often, while enduring it, fainted dead away. 
One of our men was thus fastened up one day, and fainted 
before he had hung five minutes. He was let down, re- 
stored to consciousness, and hauled up again. Again he 
fainted from the fearful torture, and was taken down, ironed, 
and cast into the "dark hole" below decks, to live on 
bread and water for so long a time. Other modes of pun- 
ishment were used, but were lighter and more humane, 
such as walking the deck, loss of grog, confinement in 
the dark hole, etc. To be sure discipline must be ob- 
served in every branch of the service, but this mode of 
" tricing up " must be classed among those barbarous pun- 



64 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

ishments which were once inflicted on our poor sailors, — 
as flogging, towing astern, lashing to the yard-arm, or an}- 
other barbarity that a hasty or impassioned officer might 
choose to inflict, all of which are now condemned by the 
United States government. 

One punishment, and a just one, was inflicted upon anv 
one who was caught spitting on the clean decks. A small 
tub was fitted with straps to go around the wearer's neck and 
hang in front of him about waist high. He was required 
to travel from one end of the deck to the other and receive 
the expectorations of all hands in his tub. As most of us 
were tobacco-chewers, he w'as kept quite bus}' in going 
from one to the other and presenting his tub for them to spit 
in. He was obliged to perform this menial service until 
he caught some one else spitting on the deck, when the 
tub was at once transferred to that person. Much amuse- 
ment was created by this simple but effectual mode of pun- 
ishing indecency. 

And now the fleet being repaired, and prepared for more 
dangerous work, we welcomed the report of a signal gun 
at 8 o'clock on the morning of Februar}' 5th from our 
flag-ship. A long line of flag-signals ran up to her mast- 
head, and immediately this great mass of vessels that had 
lain so quietly for the past month, became a scene of ac- 
tivity and animation, as the crew of each vessel heaved at 
the windlass or brought their anchor home on the run. 

The graceful moving of the various vessels to their place 
in the line of advance, the music of the bands enlivening and 
cheering our hearts, and the beautiful weather, at once 
inspired us with feelings of patriotic fervor, and all we de- 
sired was a chance to strike a blow in behalf of our country's 

flag. 

The fleet formed in three divisions, as on the start from 
Annapolis : the gunboats in advance wdth their guns frown- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 65 

ing from deck and port-hole, the transports crowded with 
troops, the store-ships and other vessels, all with colors fly- 
ing and bands playing their liveliest airs, formed a scene 
that will ever be impressed on our memory and one which 
" presented the embodiment of awful power." 

About sun-down, having arrived within twelve miles of 
our destination, the signal was set to " cast anchor " and in 
a short time this beautiful fleet was at rest for the night. If 
the scene was pleasant to view by daylight, it was doubl}- 
so at night. The moon looked down upon us, shedding 
its silvery light over the face of the waters, which reflected 
also the lights from the vessels of the fleet, and inspired 
by its calm influence and the splendid state of the weather, 
the boys of the various regiments broke forth into song, the 
band's soft music floated over the sea, and the hours of 
evening wore peacefully away, in pleasant contrast to the 
day of conflict so close upon us. 

Towards morning dark clouds began to cover the face 
of the bright moon, and at daylight it was evident that 
another storm was likely to impede our progress. At 8 
o'clock we were again under way, and proceeded ver}^ 
slowly until 1 1 , when the storm that had been gathering 
all the morning burst upon us in furious gusts of wind and 
rain, and the fleet dropped anchor once more. 

The next morning, February 7th, broke pleasant, and 
soon all were astir. The fleet once more advanced, and in a 
couple of hours entered Croaton Sound. Now the gunboats 
sail ahead through the Narrows, while the transports fol- 
low more slowly in the rear. 

" Roanoke Island, situated between Albermarle and 
Pamlico sounds, and completely commanding the channel 
between them, had been carefully fortified by the rebels. 
Two strong works mounting twenty-two heavy guns, — 
three of them being 100-pound rifles, — four batteries of 
5 



66 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

twenty-two guns, eight supporting gunboats, and formida- 
ble obstructions across the channel, together with a garri- 
son of 3,000 men constituted the means of defense relied 
upon by the enemy, and were deemed quite sufficient to 
repel any attempt of Burnside's fleet to pass up the sound.'" 

About II o'clock we are within a mile of the rebel 
works and fleet, and for the first time see the three-barred 
rebel flag floating in the breeze from various works on the 
shore and from their gunboats, which are formed in line 
of battle across the sound. Our signal gun booms forth, 
and all eyes are turned toward our flagship. Up to the 
masthead runs a little ball of bunting, and as it unfolds to the 
breeze we read our commander's message: " This day 
otw country expects that every man will do his duty" 

With a ringing cheer the order is given : " Clear the 
decks for action." " Cast loose and provide." Down goes 
our iron bulwarks, open flies the hatches, out moves the 
ponderous gun, and, ready for the fray, we stand waiting 
the orders to fire. 

Just at 12 o'clock a white puft' of smoke bursts from 
the side of one of the rebel gunboats, and a round shot 
comes skipping over the water toward us. Another one 
from the battery ashore ; one in return from our fleet, and 
now is heard the voice of our captain, " Are you ready? " 
" Ready," is the response from our gunner. " Then fire " 
shouts the captain, and with a crash that almost deafens us 
and shatters the glass windows of our vessel, our great 
Columbiad sends its 100-pound shell hurtling and roaring 
on its way to the rebel fleet. 

And now the action becomes general. Our gunboats 
are hard at work, and soon we are surrounded with the 
thunder crash of the huge guns, the hissing, flying shot 
from the enemy's works and fleet, the rolHng clouds of 
smoke, and the roar and cries of terrible battle. Orders 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 67 

come thick and fast through the noise and confusion ; 
shell and shot fly shrieking through the air ; and the smok- 
ing guns bellow forth their thunder crash in quick succes- 
sion. 

This is our first battle. It is glorious. Our great nine- 
inch shells describe a half circle in the air and fall plump 
into the enemy's fort. A second later and they burst, and 
a vast jet of sand flies upward to the height of fifty feet. 
Our gunners at both ends of the ship vie with each other 
in trying to cut down the rebel flag that floats defiantly 
over the battery ashore. Again and again they sight their 
pieces carefully, and watch the huge shell as it falls down, 
down, and bursting, throws up a cloud of dust and sand ; 
yet as the smoke clears away, still can be seen that hated 
" tri-color " waving defiance at our eflbrts. 

At last Captain Flusser steps down on deck from his 
post of observation, takes the sight, and at the right mo- 
ment fires, but the flag is still there. Something must be 
the matter with the gun sight, and going to his cabin he 
studies awhile upon it. In a few minutes he returns with 
another sight, whittled out of a piece of wood. He adjusts 
it to the breech of a gun. "Are you ready?" he cries. 
"Ready," is the response. Not a man stirs. The lan- 
yard is pulled taut ; but a slight twitch will send the shell 
to its destination, and all wait in silence for the next word. 
As the. ship lifts on the swell of the sea, and gains the ex- 
act range, it comes : " Then fire." And away goes the 
shell, hissing and roaring up into the heavens, and then 
falling, falling, until, with a crash, it strikes the flag-stafl', 
and down goes the rebel " stars and bars," trailing in the 
dust. 

And now what cheers resound throughout the fleet, 
while our captain walks back to his post with a look of 
pride and gratification. For a moment the fleet ceases fir- 



68 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

ing, for the rebel flag is down ; but soon two brave men of 
the garrison are seen with the flag in their arms mounting 
the ramparts of the fort and, planting it there, amid a ter- 
rible storm of shells from the entire fleet, that strike or 
burst all around them, they waved their hats at us and 
jumped down to their guns, and the fight goes on with re- 
newed energy. 

Captain Flusser is impatient. He rings for the engineer 
to go ahead, and directs the pilot to " head her for the 
battery." 

In a few minutes we are fast in the mud, directly in front 
of the southwest angle of the fort. This angle worked 
a powerful gun, and speedil}^ getting the range, they 
direct the fire of that single gun on our boat alone, and 
shot comes skipping and bounding toward us, now and 
then crashing through our hull, or cutting through the 
light works, shattering our upper deck forward, and keep- 
ing us on the alert every minute. 

Now one man is stationed forward to watch the fire of 
that gun. As he sees it flash he cries out, " Down," and 
every one drops to the deck, until the shot has struck or 
passed over. " Over," he cries, and we spring to the 
work again. 

One heavy shot bursts through our rail, cuts its way 
through a huge coil of rope, and passes out through the 
hurricane deck. 

Another one cuts our flag-staff oft' as clean as a knife, 
but before the old Stars and Stripes can touch the deck in 
its fall, two of our men jump for it, and carrying it up on 
the hurricane deck, lash it firmly there, and it again floats 
over us through the smoke of battle. 

Another shot strikes our bulwarks and knocks oft' a 
splinter about six feet long, which, imp^41ed by the force of 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 69 

the blow, flies across the deck, over into the sea, breaking 
the leer of one of our men, but that is all. 

We are working our guns for all they are worth, and are 
giving as good as we receive. The engineer is forcing his 
wheels to back us oft' of that mud bank, for we shall be de- 
stroyed if we don't get off" that stationary position, where all 
the rebel gunners have to do is to load and fire at us. 

We have got over our first excitement and are working 
calmly and coolly, and endeavoring to make every shot tell. 

Another shot strikes us below water-mark with a heavy 
thud, and another one pierces our magazine. Plugs are 
ready and the men at work below decks are quick to set 
and drive them in the holes thus made. Two more strike 
us below water-mark and we shall be as full of holes as a 
sieve if we stay here much longer. 

Another one pierces the ship's upper works fore and aft, 
passing through the armory where lay our wounded com- 
rade, and by its concussion knocking down in one confused 
heap the pistols, cutlasses, axes, boarding pikes, etc., which 
were placed in racks around the room ; but by a miracle 
none of the revolvers exploded, though all were loaded, 
ready for instant use, and our wounded man, though in the 
midst of them all, suffered no further injury. 

At last we succeeded in getting back into deeper water 
out of the range of that sun, and there worked the remain- 
der of the day. 

Considerable interest was excited during the day by the 
manoeuvres of a small sloop mounting one gun and manned 
by as brave a crew as could be found in the fleet. This 
little vessel, being light of draft, would run in close under 
the fort, and at the right moment let fly her shot at the 
enemy, and gaily swinging her head around, she flaunted 
her colors in his face, and was off' out of range in a mo- 
ment. In vain did the rebels depress their guns to sink this 



70 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

little craft. As soon as she was loaded and got the wind 
abeam, she would glide swiftly in, come about, and let fly 
another reminder, and then oft' again as before. 

As I was thus busily engaged at my post on the gun- 
boat Perry,, it was, of course, impossible for me to note 
the movement of the regiment with the troops ashore, and 
as I have no history of the regiment to quote from, I can 
only give the details as they have been related to me by 
my comrades who were there. On the 7th, our regiment, 
leaving their old quarters on the Eastern ^iieeii, were 
taken aboard the steamer 6^;^/c?^ and landed on the island at 
a place called Ashby's Harbor, having in charge one brass 
howitzer. They marched a short distance from the shore 
and stacked arms in a sweet potato field, just outside the 
edge of a swamp, and a detail was sent down to haul up 
the gun, which they accomplished by dint of much hard 
labor, through the soft, marsh}' ground. 

A detail was sent out on picket a short distance to the 
front, and the rest of the boys made their beds in the cold 
wet potato field, and with the rain pouring in torrents upon 
them tried to get a little sleep in preparation for the mor- 
row's work. 

"The interval between them and the enemy's works was 
covered by a swampy forest and traveled by a single half- 
worn cart road. The fortifications consisted of an earth- 
work with three sides surrounded by a ditch eight feet in 
width and three deep, filled with water. In front, the 
woods had been cut down for the distance of three hun- 
dred yards to give their guns a clean sweep, while the 
trees lay piled in ever}' imaginable direction over the marshy 
ground, through which the advancing force would be com- 
pelled to work their difficult way, exposed at every step to 
a devastating fire." 

The next morning as soon as it became light enough to 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 7 I 

distinguish objects at a distance, the pickets of the Fourth 
Regiment opened fire, and immediately the whole camp 
was astir. Drums beat their " long roll," bugles called to 
arms, and the day's work of driving the enemies of our 
government from the island commenced. 

"The ranks were soon formed, and the centre column, 
under General Foster, composed of three Massachusetts 
regiments, and the Tenth Connecticut, moved off, a bat- 
tery of six twelve-pound howitzers at the head. The 
second column under General Reno was to make a flank 
movement on the enemy's left, and the third column, under 
General Parke, a similar one on his right." This column 
included the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment. Advancing 
a short distance upon the cart path, before mentioned, the 
order to " file right" was given, in order to flank the left 
of the enemy's works, and the boys scrambled through the 
underbrush briers, sometimes jumping from bog to bog, or 
wading waist deep through the swamp. 

The Fourth was followed by the Ninth New York who, 
before they had proceeded half the length of their regi- 
ment upon the flank, received orders to charge. The 
companies of this regiment who had reached the flank move- 
ment, charged " front forward," while the rest of them, 
still on the road, being somewhat confused by this order, 
charged directly up the road. The Twenty-first Massa- 
chusetts and Tenth Connecticut on the left of the road 
charged home at the same time upon the right flank of the 
fort, while our regiment came in on the right of the Ninth 
New York. 

The rebels seeing themselves pressed so closely on 
either flank, where they had not supposed it possible that 
troops could mancEuvre, on account of the thick obstructions 
of the swamp, fled in dismay, leaving this battery, called 



72 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Fort Defiance, in our hands, with three guns and a tew 
prisoners. 

Immediate pursuit was made, and the regiment ad- 
vanced in rear of the Fifty-first and Ninth New York regi- 
ments some distance up the road, when the order was 
given to halt, and filing into the woods, arms were 
stacked and fires built. The men were soaked to the 
hide by the night's storm and flanking movement through 
the swamp, but in a few minutes General Burnside ap- 
peared, and told them there w-as yet one more job to be 
done before resting, and he wanted the Fourth to do it. 

" Fall in," came the order, and was cheerfully obeyed, 
and they started on the " double quick" for about a mile, 
to the other side of the island, and soon reached Fort 
Bartow, at which we of the naval force had been batter- 
ing aw^ay so long. But the rebels had skedaddled, and 
our regiment immediately took possession. A long pole 
was procured, our flag attached to it, and planted on the 
ramparts of the fort amid the cheers of the regiment, 
which were answered by the crews on board the gunboats, 
who immediately sent their small boats ashore. 

An aide from General Foster now arrived with the report 
to Burnside that the rebel force at the northern end of the 
island had been brought to bay, and asked for terms of sur- 
render. These were sent back with the aide, and a short 
time after, we received news of the surrender of the whole 
rebel force. General Burnside ordered Colonel Rodman 
to stack arms. So the boys built their camp fires, and 
after a good supper turned in for the night. 

Some of the boys, unable to sleep, started out about mid- 
night upon a foraging expedition, and returned about day- 
light, loaded down with pigs, hams, and other food. Pots, 
pans, and kettles were in demand, and the bo3's enjoyed a 
feast of good things that morning. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 73 

Sunday morning, February 9th, some of the boys found 
half a dozen rebels who had been hiding away since the 
capture of the fort, and from them learned that a large 
quantity of rebel quartermaster's stores were concealed at a 
place down on the shore, and a detail was sent from the 
company to secure them, but found the Ninth New York in 
possession, who cheerfully divided the spoils with us, and 
after much labor they were transferred to camp. 

Meanwhile our company had taken possession of another 
earthwork farther down the island (Fort Blanchard?), and 
the flag was raised by the fifer, Henry S. Brown, of our 
company. We were now prepared to stay at Fort Bartow, 
as a permanent camp, and were well provided with forage 
and subsistence, but were much disappointed when, Sun- 
day afternoon, we received orders to reembark on the 
dirty old Eastern ^leai, and were forced to leave the 
greater part of the provision we had labored so hard to col-^ 
lect, to the benefit of the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment, 
who took our place in the fort. 

We remained in the miserable old hulk about a week, 
and then landed and camped. Our life while we stayed 
here was passed in the exercise of usual camp duties, 
broken only by the sad occasion of the death of two of our 
comrades, John Ready, a good soldier and kind friend, and 
Jonathan Card, the drummer of the company, a genial as- 
sociate and faithful comrade. They were taken sick 
aboard the ^leeii, by reason of the accumulation of miser- 
ies and privations that continually surrounded us, and 
were removed to the hospital ship where they died, — 
Ready at Hatteras Inlet, and Card at Roanoke, — and were 
buried on the island, under military honors, by a squad 
commanded by Corp. Albert R. Collins, of Company B. 

Here the Fourth remained undl the movement upon New- 
bern, and regretdng that our story of their experience at 



74 FOKiv-six MON'iiis wrrii iiik 

Roanoke Island must necessaril}' be inconiplclc. we will 
now turn back to the detachment on board the Perry. 

The battle is over. The tiring has ceased, and we have 
a chance to rest troni our labors and look about us. We 
have been hard at work at the guns, pelting away at that 
rebel stronghold and their fleet, who have just disappeared 
from view around Northwest Point. 

All around us our ship bears evidence of the noble part 
she has taken in this battle. The decks are strewn v^dth 
the cast otT shell-boxes, pieces of glass from the shat- 
tered lights of the ship, splinters, broken cables and hand 
spikes, and all the accumulated debris of the fight. Her 
forward cabin, caboose, and light work are cut through, 
broken and shattered by that rifled rebel gun on the angle 
of the fort. Great pieces are knocked oft' her bulwarks, 
her flag-staft' is shot away, and here and there below decks 
we can see wiiere the enemy's shot found their wa}' into her 
hull, now plugged up tight to keep the sea out, which other- 
wise would, in a few minutes, send her to the bottom of the 
sound. 

Her crew with their sleeves still rolled up, their clothes 
torn, hands, arms, and faces black with the smoke of bat- 
tle, stand gazing with a triumphant look of pride and grat- 
ification at that rebel fort where now floats the Stars and 
Stripes, the colors of the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment, 
and heartily and joyously congratulate each other on the 
successful issue of this, the first battle of the expedition. 

The bos'n's whistle now calls us aft to splice the main 
brace. A double ration is allowed us, after which we per- 
form our ablutions and eat our evening meal. This done, 
we light our pipes, and spend the evening in the gangway 
talking over the incidents of the day, until eight bells 
strikes, when we all turn in except those on duty, the 
>\ntch is set, and discipline once more asserts her sway. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 75 

During the evening, our attention was attracted to a rebel 
steamer on fire at Red Stone Point, about three miles away 
across the sound. As the fire reached the magazine, she 
exploded, and then all was dark again. It proved to be 
the rebel o-unboat Curlczu which had been disabled in the 
fight, and was now set on fire and blown up to prevent her 
falling into our hands. 

Night, sdll and starry, settled its dark curtain on friend 
and foe alike, and the battle of Roanoke Island passed into 
history. 

Our loss was about two hundred and fifty, all told, while 
the enemy lost all their guns and munitions of war, and 
about twenty-five hundred prisoners, besides the killed and 
wounded. 

The wounded of both sides were cared for, the dead 
buried, and the dawn of another day began preparations 
for further action, for while under the command of our be- 
loved old General Burnside we could not expect to lay idle 
in the enemy's front, as long as a rebel flag floated over 
the coast of North Carolina. 



76 FOKTY-SIX >rONTHS WITH THE 

February, 1862. 



CHAPTER V. 



ELIZABETH CITY AND WINTON. 

BUT one night's rest, and preparations were made to 
immediately pursue and capture the rebel fleet that 
had escaped up the sound. 

Sunday morning, February 9th, the decks were cleared 
and we weighed anchor and sailed slowly up the channel 
through the blockade of sunken vessels that had been 
placed by the enem}- across the sound, to the point of land 
known as Red Stone Point, near which we descried a 
fort over which the rebel flag was flying. The guns' crews 
were called " to quarters," and sent a shot or two over into 
it, but receiving no answer, two of our small boats were 
lowered, manned, and pulled ashore. But no enemy was 
there to repel them. Everything about the place betok- 
ened the haste with which the rebels had deserted their 
standard and stronghold. 

The rebel steamer Cnrlczv that we had seen on fire the 
night previous, lay near the wharf, a perfect wreck. An 
old schooner, still in good repair, lay alongside the landing. 
This was taken possession of and anchored out in the 
stream as our first prize. The rebel colors were hauled 
down and the Stars and Stripes run up in its place, and 
our boats reporting aboard soon after, we moved toward the 
rest of the fleet that were now forming for the advance. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 77 

The same afternoon our expedition in search of the rebel 
fleet started up the sound. It consisted of our own and 
thirteen other gunboats, and was under the command of 
Commander S. C. Rowan. We sailed smoothly along 
until night, and came to anchor a few miles above the mouth 
of the Pascotank River. 

Monday morning, February loth, soon after sunrise, 
the fleet again got underway, and the decks were cleared 
for action of a far different type than our last. About 8 
o'clock we discovered the rebel fleet ahead of us, taking 
position in line of battle to receive us. On their left flank 
lay a schooner close up in shore, called the Black War- 
rior, mounting two guns, while their right flank was pro- 
tected half a mile in advance by a fort mounting four 
heavy guns, located on what was known as Cobb's 
Point. Between these two batteries lay the rebel fleet, 
composed of the steamers Ellis, Beaufort, Fanny, Sea 
Bird, and two others whose names I could not learn, com- 
manded by Captain Lynch, whose flagship was the Sea 
Bird. 

We were now about three-quarters of a mile from them, 
and running slowly along waiting for orders. As we neared 
them a puff" of smoke and a shot from the schooner gave 
us our challenge. Another shot from the old hulk followed 
the first. Then one from the fort on Cobb's Point. No 
reply from our fleet, the men of which gazed anxiously in 
the direction of the Undcrzuriter , which was acting as our 
flagship, to see the signal, " commence firing," run up. 

Suddenly a gun from the flagship sent a shot on its fiery 
path, and at the same moment up went the signal, " close 
action.'''' This was all we were waitmg for, and imme- 
diately a full head of steam was put on, and we were flying 
through the water at full speed towards the rebel fleet. 

This was to be a new experience to us of the land ser- 



78 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

vice, and one calculated to try our mettle to the utmost. 
Captain Flusser now called our attention to a few instruc- 
tions and words of advice about boarding the enemy's ves- 
sels. That no man was to cry " quarter," no matter in 
what circumstances he might be placed. That he would 
shoot the first man that did so like a dog. That the guns' 
crews were to remain at their posts and work the guns for 
all they were worth, never leaving them except at the or- 
ders to " repel boarders," or " boarders away." That 
those not employed at serving the guns should arm them- 
selves with rifles, station themselves about the decks, and 
endeavor to pick off the enemy's officers, and especially 
his pilots, and that all were expected to perform their 
whole duty, coolly, calmly, and devotedly. 

The first cry of " quarter" while engaged in close ac- 
tion does more to discourage and demoralize the rest of 
the crew than if they were beaten off many times in succes- 
sion, and it is well that the captain gave us this caution, as 
perhaps in the heat of the fight, some of us, overpowered, 
might have given that cry, instead of laying down our 
arms and surrendering quietly. 

In the few minutes that elapsed before reaching the en- 
emy's fleet, while each man stands silently at his post of 
duty, ready to deal death and destruction into the enemy's 
ships, the memory of stories we had read in our boyish 
days of pirates, — the boarding of vessels, and the bloody 
scenes enacted on such occasions, — the thought of home 
and loved ones so far away, — the thought of the future life, 
whose invisible veil was about to be lifted for some of us, 
to reveal the beginning of eternity, — these and many 
kindred thoughts rush through our minds faster than our 
boat is rushing through the water, when a thundering 
crash startles us from our reverie, and we are in the midst 
of the rebel fleet. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 79 

Crash, — Crash, — Bang, — Whirr. We dash past the fort 
on shore, and amidst a storm of shot, shell, and grape, make 
straight for the rebel Sea Bird. The guns of both fleets are 
sending their huge charges across each other's decks at 
short range, and belching forth their thunder peals with a 
noise as if the earth had met its final dissolution. Shrieks, 
cries, and curses are heard on every hand. 

Down comes the rebel Fanny., swift as an eagle upon us. 
Crash, crash, go the huge one-hundred-pound guns, within 
twenty feet of each other. She throws her grapplings, 
misses us, and drifts swiftly by, while we empty our revol- 
vers and rifles in the faces of her crew, and a minute later 
she is boarded by the Delaxuare in our wake, and the 
Fanny finds a watery grave. Her crew jump overboard 
and swim for the shore, while the shot from our guns plows 
the water around them. 

Down comes the Ellis, rebel, on our port quarter, but 
also missing us, she drifts away, to be in turn boarded by 
the Ceres. The troubled air resounds with the quickly 
succeeding peals of the big guns, the screech of the shot, 
shell, and grape, the smoke of burning vessels, the clash of 
steel, as foe meets foe hand to hand, and the rattle of the 
marines' rifles, together with the cheer of victory and the 
yells of defiance. Our decks are slippery with blood. 
Our voices are hoarse with the cries of battle ; still through 
the path of destruction our steamer rushes on, and pounc- 
ing upon the Sea Bird rebel, crushes her amidships like 
an Qgg shell. 

" Boarders away," yells our captain, and armed with our 
cutlasses, rifles, and revolvers, we leave our guns and rush 
after the captain, who, with a revolver in each hand, 
leaps upon the Sea Bird's deck and demands a surrender. 
There they stand ready for us, armed with double-edged 



8o FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

swords, cutlasses, pikes, and axes, but it is useless for them 
to resist, and but few blows are struck when their com- 
mander surrenders his sword. 

One of the Fourth Rhode Island boys runs quickly to the 
flag halyards, cuts them, and down comes the rebel stars 
and bars. With loud cheers of triumph we return to our 
own decks. The Sea Bird is all afire below and sinking. 
In a few minutes all of her crew, — thirty-five in number, — 
except the dead, are transferred aboard our ship, and we 
back away from the burning, sinking wTeck of w^hat was, 
a few moments ago, the pride of the rebel fleet. 

Of the rebel navy, all the vessels were taken or destroyed, 
except one, which escaped up the Elizabeth River. 
Another tried to follow suit, but being of heavier draft, 
stuck in the mud and was deserted by her crew, who, set- 
ting her on fire, made tracks overland, pursued by the 
screeching shells of our fleet. It was a hard and hotly 
fought battle, lasting only half an hour. We took thirty- 
five prisoners, and lost two of our men, — killed. 

After leaving the wreck of the Sea Bird, we ran up toward 
the city, and found the ship-yard — in which was a new ves- 
sel on the stocks — on fire, as was also the rebel gunboat, 
Forrest, which had been lying at the w^harf, repairing in- 
juries received at Roanoke. The rebels in their hasty 
retreat had also set the town on fire in several places, and 
men from the fleet were immediately sent on shore to ex- 
tinguish the flames, w^hich after much hard labor they ac- 
complished. 

We now dropped down to an anchorage a mile or so 
below the city. The prisoners we had taken were looked 
after, the men ironed at the wrist, and the officers allowed 
the privilege of the quarter deck. These officers were, of 
course, very indignant, and did not scruple to take advan- 
tage of their privilege by making themselves obnoxious in 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. Ol 

their deportment toward our officers and men, but they had 
the wrong man in the person of Captain Flusser to deal 
with, and were speedily given the choice between keeping 
their mouths shut or going below in irons. 

Our decks presented about the same appearance as after 
the battie of Roanoke, with this sad exception : that the life 
blood of two of our brave men, who lay dead upon the 
deck, ran in streams under our feet. 

Thomas O'Mara, of Company A, Fourth Rhode Island, 
was killed while leaving his gun to get his rifle. 

Frederick Wayland, a member of the ship's crew, was 
standing by my side at the time the Fanny swept past us, 
and we poured a volley into, her crew. His revolver 
missed fire, and coolly taking a pin from his jacket he 
pricked the tube, and was putting on a fresh cap, when 
some rebel drew a bead on him, and a ball passed through 
his head just below the left eye. He fell against me, — his 
blood spouting out in a stream over my clothes, — and 
then struck heavily upon the deck. He was a pious man, 
and for several days previous to the fight had attentively 
studied his Bible, and seemed to have a presentiment of his 
fate. 

They were both buried in the rear of the battery on 
Cobb's Point the next day, and there v^^e left them to sleep, 
where no sound of strife and bloodshed would trouble their 
rest any more- 
Tuesday morning found us with clean decks, and pre- 
pared for another fray. With three other boats of our 
fleet we weighed anchor and started down the river. The 
squadron consisted of the Perry, Louisiana, Underwriter, 
and Lockwood, under command of Lieutenant Murray. 

On our way we sighted an old schooner endeavoring to 
beat across the bay. She was soon brought to by a shot 
across her bows, and we took possession of her. Her 



82 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THK 

crew was composed of one man, one woman, and a boy, 
and she carried a cargo of corn. She was taken in tow 
by our steamer, and a watch sent aboard of her, who by 
constant pumping managed to keep her afloat. 

Arriving ofl' a little place called Edenton, we cast 
anchor, and a party was sent ashore to take possession of 
the town. They found a vessel on the stocks and several 
guns mounted, which they destroyed. Two schooners 
were also captured without much opposition from the 
rebel element thereabouts, and our work being accom- 
plished, we returned to our anchorage off Elizabeth City. 

Our life during the next week while lying here at 
anchor, was spent repairing the damage done us in battle, 
and in target practice with the guns. We also raised two 
beautiful thirty-two-pound rifled guns from the wreck of 
the Sea Bird, and they were soon mounted on our decks, 
one forward and the other aft, to speak thereafter in the 
cause of justice, right, and freedom. We also raised from 
the wreck many other articles of value, among which were 
several boxes of excellent navy tobacco, and each man re- 
ceived a plentiful supply of the same. 

One of our prisoners, a rebel gunner, received a terrible 
wound during the battle here, his fore-arm being shattered 
from the wrist to the elbow. He was suflering dreadfully 
from it, and the rebel surgeon, also a prisoner, was re- 
quested to amputate the arm, and by that means save the 
man's life, or, at least, alleviate his suff'erings ; but for some 
reason unknown to the writer, this was not done, and the 
poor fellow was kept oblivious of his pain in some degree 
by frequent doses of morphine and whiskey. 

The influence of this treatment would occasionally wear 
away, and at such times it was pitiful to hear his shrieks 
and screams of agony, undl lulled again to sleep by the 
stupefying mixture. At last, after three days of terrible 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 83 

suffering, death came to his relief, and ours also, for it was 
hard to see a human being in such agony, and to hear his 
heart-rending groans day and night. 

The day following our expedition to Edenton all of our 
prisoners, except this wounded one, were transferred to 
the gunboat Morse, and carried to Roanoke Island. 

Wednesday, February 19th, we received sailing orders, 
and joyfully heaved away at the anchor, for we had got 
tired of lying in this place so long ; besides, we were anx- 
ious to hear from our regiment, not having any news from 
them since we left Roanoke Island. 

The whole fleet was soon under way, sailing all that 
night, and on the next afternoon arrived off the mouth of 
the Chowan River. Here a portion of the fleet came to 
anchor. The Dclazvare, flagship of this squadron, the 
Perry, and two others whose names I have forgotten, pro- 
ceeded slowly up the river towards a place called Winton. 

This river is a narrow, sluggish stream, entering a por- 
tion of the Great Dismal Swamp. Along its wooded shores 
could be seen at times some wild beast or bird, which, 
frightened by the splash of our paddle-wheels, would scurry 
away into the recesses of the swamp. At one place a wild 
crane, not so easily frightened, however, stood on one foot 
at the edge of the bank, and stared solemnly at us as we 
went by. 

At times a rude hut and landing were observed, probably 
the headquarters of some fisherman, but no other signs of 
human life were visible until late in the afternoon, as we 
rounded a bend in the river, we discovered a high bluff 
on our port quarter, and standing gazing through the trees 
on its top were three rebel pickets, who mounted their 
horses and rode oft' in hot haste. 

We had on board with us at this time two companies of 
the Ninth New York Regiment, Hawkin's Zouaves. The 



Sq. FORTV-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Other boats with us were supplied with ii like number of tlie 
same reoiment, who were to land and cooperate with the 
fleet in an assault upon the enemy's works, wherever we 
might tind them. 

Winton was a pretty little Southern town, situated upon a 
blutl that rose thirty or forty feet from the Chowan River, 
and was composed of a number of tine residences, planta- 
tions, stores, churches, and other buildings. It did not seem 
to be of much military importance, except, perhaps, to lacil- 
itate the building or lilting out of blockade runners, and 
doubdess for tliis reason, was ordered our reconnaissance 
in this direction. 

As we sailed slowly up the narrow river, the Dchj-..arc 
being ahead, our steamer next, and the two other gunboats 
following, the guns" crews were called '• to quarters." the 
military stationed themselves at ditlerent parts of the boat, 
under cover, and all eyes were bent upon the thick groves 
and woods that lined the shores, to detect the first signs of 
an enemy. 

We had arrived at a point within an eighth oi a mile of 
the town, when suddenly trom the top of the blufl' on our 
port quarter a stunning fire of musketry burst upon us, 
with the roar of two field pieces. 

Wc -were ambtislicil. Qiiick as a flash we jumped to the 
guns, and backing water, sent our compliments at short 
ran ere up into their midst. Peal alter peal of our huge 
guns rent the air, sending their thundering echoes miles 
huo the recesses of the swamp, and their screeching mis- 
siles sweeping the brow of that bluft', lined witli rebel 
troops, and crashing over into the town beyond. 

Along the edge of tlie blufl'for over five hundred yards 
in extent was a constant line of fire and smoke, and though 
wo could not discern any large portion of them from our 
decks, yet bv their constant and heavy volleys, we judged 
there were not less than three thousand of the enemy. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND V0LITNT1<;ERS. 85 

Evidently we were getting the worst of it. They were 
so high above us that they completely commanded our 
decks, while we found it very difficult to elevate our guns 
to a proper degree. Night was coming on, and after a 
short fight the Delaware, flagship, headed down the river. 
As she passed us, Captain Flusser hailed to know if he 
should continue the fight. He was ordered to draw out 
and cease firing. The other two boats received the same 
order, and in a few minutes we were all steaming down the 
river, while the rebel troops made the shores resound with 
their yells of triumph and defiance. 

The Dclazvarc was pierced like a sieve by the storm of 
bullets that flew down upon her like hail, but suffered im- 
materially. Our boat also bore evidence of attention from 
the enemy, but fortunately without loss of life. 

On our way down the river as we passed an opening in 
the woods, we espied a rebel picket, standing, leaning on 
his horse, and watching us very closely. He was some- 
what out of range of our rifles, but our mate trained his 
gun on him at short range and let fly. The great shell 
seemed to burst in his face, and when the smoke cleared 
away, nothing of him or the horse could be seen. The 
next day, some colored people told us that both he and the 
horse were blown to atoms, and pieces of horse flesh could 
be seen scattered in every direction. 

About eight miles down we met the rest of our fleet, 
who, on hearing our firing, and supposing we had fallen into 
ambush, were advancing to help us out. We all now 
came to anchor for the night. Vigilant watch was kept, 
lest we might be surprised, and the next morning soon 
after breakfast the cables were slipped, the decks cleared 
for action, and our fleet followed its commander once more 
up the windings of Chowan River, towards the town of 
Winton, which must be ours to-dav at anv sacrifice. As 



86 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

we gained sight of the place where we had met with such a 
warm reception yesterday, each boat commenced a desul- 
tory fire, training their guns on every building, cover, or 
place that could conceal a rebel. 

But our valiant rebels had fled, together with nearly all 
the inhabitants of the place, and without opposidon we 
hauled up to the wharves and landed our troops, the Ninth 
New York Regiment. These rushed up the heights and 
over through the town. 

Orders were criven to remove those who had been left be- 
hind by the inhabitants, and to sack and burn every unoc- 
cupied house or building. As the people had left in great 
haste at our second approach, taking with them only such 
articles as they could conveniently carry, of course the 
boys found plenty of everything, and soon came flocking 
back to the boats loaded down with household goods, 
books, articles of food, and anything they found that suited 
their fanc}^ 

One or two old and infirm people, and one woman, sick 
with a new born child, left by their friends to the more 
tender mercies of their conquerors, were carefully trans- 
ported aboard one of our gunboats, and the troops began 
their work of destruction. 

Soon great volumes of thick, black smoke rose in the 
air and drifted slowly over the face of the heavens, and the 
crackling of the seething flames as they spread from house 
to house, the showers of sparks and falling cinders, and 
the fast increasing heat of the atmosphere, told us our work 
here was done, and the total destruction of the town as- 
sured. Our troops came aboard ; we were soon steam- 
ing down the river, and that night arrived at our old 
anchorage oft' Elizabeth City. 

The next day three of our transports, having on board 
twenty-six hundred paroled rebel prisoners, arrived, and 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 87 

were landed at the city wharves. Saturday night a rebel 
officer came oft' to our boat, bearing a flag of truce, and 
boarded us, with the request that we would not shell the 
town, as it was now full of sick and wounded men from 
Roanoke. He was informed that no proposal to that effect 
was entertained by our fleet so long as no offensive dem- 
onstration took place among the large number of paroled 
prisoners now in occupation of the city, and receiving this 
information he put back in his boat. 

From this time until March loth, we were employed in 
cruisincr around the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds on a 
sort of patrol duty, watching for blockade runners or any- 
thing worthy of our shot and shell, and making our head- 
quarters at our old anchorage ground, off' Elizabeth City. 

At length, at about dark, March loth, we received sailing 
orders, and bidding our old stamping ground good-bye, 
steamed swiftly down the sound. On the nth we arrived 
off" Roanoke Island, and found the troops breaking camp 
and going aboard the transports again, steamers getting 
underway, tugboats flying around with orders, and every- 
thing in ac-tive preparation for another move. 

We hauled alongside a store-ship, took in a supply of 
coal and ammunition, and reported ourselves ready for any- 
thing in the way of a trial of our strength with the enemy, 
and to follow our old General Burnside wherever he might 
lead us. 



88 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

March, 1862. 



CHAPTER VI. 



NEWBERN AND BEAUFORT. 

IN common with the rest of the troops, our regiment 
embarked on their old friend, the Eastern ^lecn, 
which now weighed anchor, and with the rest of the 
fleet steamed away. It was a pretty sight, as, late in the 
afternoon, that vast concourse of vessels were bowling mer- 
rily along over the rippling waters of the sound, with the 
gunboats in the lead, with bands playing and colors fly- 
ing, and soon reaching Hatteras Inlet, the signal to 
" heave to," brought all to anchor for the night. 

The moon gilded the waters with its tranquil beauty, 
the night was mild and calm, and music and song floated 
over the waves, cheering us by its inspiration, and giving 
us renewed confidence for the work that yet lay before us. 
About the second watch in the night dark clouds began to 
cover the face of the moon, and a little later the rain fell 
thick and heavy until after sunrise, when the clouds broke. 
Another day's sail brought us to the Neuse River, up 
which we proceeded a short distance, and anchored for the 
night. As soon as the morning's meal was disposed of, 
we of the navy got underway, leaving the transports with 
land forces to follow. The decks were cleared for action, 
guns served and run out, crews stationed, and we moved 
slowly up the Neuse River. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 89 

In a short time the enemy's batteries appeared in sight, 
and the thunder of our big guns woke the echoes of the 
dismal woods, as shot after shot went hurtling and shriek- 
ing over towards the earth-works and camps of the rebel 
army. 

Moving slowly and cautiously forward, now and then 
uncovering a rebel battery near the shore, we received 
their fire without material damage, and sent back in re- 
turn our heavy shot and shell, which soon made them scat- 
ter for the cover of their inland w^orks. 

At one point a large house was discovered about half a 
mile from the shore, in an open piece of land, and it being 
very prominent, and an excellent mark for our gunners, one 
of our guns was immediately trained upon it, and sent a 
nine-inch shell straight through it. The house proved to 
be full of rebels who were watching the operations of our 
fleet, and the way those Johnnies piled out of that house 
was a caution. They " stood not upon the order of their 
going," but leaped from the windows, or any place that 
seemed to afford escape, and traveled over the fields as 
fast as their long legs could carry them, hotly pursued by 
our shot and shell. 

And now the troops on the transports began to land for 
their share of the day's work, and I will here follow the 
fortunes of the old Fourth as far as I have been able to 
learn them from my comrades who were not with me in the 
naval action of this movement. 

There was an old steamer named Union in the fleet of 
transports. She was capacious enough to carry a thousand 
men, and being very light of draft, was found the most 
useful boat in the fleet for landing troops, as she was gen- 
erally able to run quite up to, or within a few feet of the 
shore. She was painted white, had a large paddle-wheel 
on her stern, and from her general appearance was called 



99 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the " Old Wheelbarrow." From this boat many troops 
were landed. 

Our regiment went ashore at Slocum's Creek, eighteen 
miles from Newbern, w^ading up to their waists in water. 
As soon as all were safely on shore the line was formed, 
and the regiment marched up towards the main road. 
The rest of the force being landed, the whole line ad- 
vanced, and were soon plodding along towards Newbern. 
About an hour's march brought them suddenly upon a 
rebel camp, and the troops charged through the sandy 
plain to reach it. But no enemy was found, and a halt 
was called. The camp fires were still burning, and tents 
in good order, blankets, equipments, and rations strew^n 
about, indicating that it had been deserted but a short time, 
and that in great haste. 

The bugles sounded the "forward." The weather had 
changed since they started, and now the rain came down 
upon them in torrents, drenching them to the skin. Still 
on they marched, over the muddy roads, until noon, when 
a halt was ordered, and the advance skirmishers came in 
with the report that the rebel works w^ere just ahead. 

All this while, we of the naval fleet were sending our 
shells over into the woods and fields in advance of our 
comrades on land, clearing the path before them, and 
cleaning out what batteries we could discover on their 
flank. 

Burnside now sent forward a party to reconnoiter the 
position, but they found the works abandoned, and the 
"forward" was sounded. On the other side of these 
works lay the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad, lead- 
ing to Newbern, and beyond where the main road crossed 
the track the troops filed into the low meadow lands, a 
halt was called, arms stacked, and haversacks inspected. 

After a short rest, and recruiting of the inner man, the 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 9I 

order to " fall in " was given, and the men, though tired 
and wet, and wishing much for a longer rest, started on 
again over the muddy roads. 

Reaching the junction of the main road and railroad, the 
column split into two sections, one proceeding along the 
railway, and the other the turnpike road. Further on, the 
roads again formed a junction, and the two columns were 
thus brought together once more and halted. A few min- 
utes later, the advance was sounded and they started on. 
Night drew its curtain of gloom about them, but still they 
kept on their way until about 8 o'clock they turned oft' 
the road, halted, stacked arms, and bivouacked for the 
night. 

A few farmhouses, barns, and tobacco sheds afforded 
protection from the storm to as many as could crowd into 
them, while the rest of the troops had no alternative but to 
lie down on the wet and muddy fields and endeavor to get 
a little sleep and rest in preparation for the arduovis duties of 
the coming day. "No fires" was the order from head- 
quarters, but nevertheless fires were built. The night 
passed without special incident, and at daybreak on the 
14th, preparations were made to attack the rebel force in 
our front. 

Not long after the troops were astir, and began to get 
ready their frugal breakfast, when the picket line opened a 
rapid and continuous fire, telling all that the day's work 
had commenced. Immediately our regiment, with the rest, 
were alarmed, equipments strapped on, rifles loaded, and 
the men got into line quickly, and we moved forward, a 
strong line of skirmishers in advance. 

The river, the turnpike, and the railroad here ran nearly 
parallel with each other. The enemy's line lay at right 
angles from the river, where his left was protected by a 
thirteen gun battery. A strong breastwork extended from 



92 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

here to the railroad. Near the railroad was posted a bat- 
tery of two thirty-two pounders, and beyond the railroad 
was a strong line of redoubts, " thirteen in number, and a 
mile in length, erected upon six little mounds or hills, 
which rose conveniently to the main works. Along this 
fortified line were mounted forty-six guns of different cal- 
ibre." The right of their line ended in a swamp, impass- 
able for troops. 

" Against these formidable works of the enem3% gar- 
risoned by 8,000 men under the command of Gen. L. 
O'B. Branch," the following forces of General Burnside 
were to operate : 

The naval fleet at work upon the river was composed 
of the gunboats Philadelphia^ Stars and Stripes., Hetzel, 
Dclatuare, Commodore Perry, Valley City, Underwriter , 
Commodore Barney, Hunchback, Sotcthjield, Morse, 
Brinkcr^ Lockwood, and Louisiana, fourteen in all, under 
command of Commander S. C. Rowan. 

A battery of six howitzers from the naval fleet was com- 
manded by R. S. McCook, of the gunboat Stars and 
Stripes . 

"Two twelve-pound guns manned by sailors from the 
transports were under command of Captains Bennett, of the 
Cossack, and Dayton, of the Highlander. 

"The line of battle was formed with General Foster's 
brigade on the right, consisting of the following regiments 
in order : Twenty-fifth, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-seventh, 
and Twenty-third Massachusetts regiments, with the Tenth 
Connecticut. 

" General Reno's brigade on the left, as follows : Twenty- 
first Massachusetts, Fifty-first New York, Ninth New Jersey , 
Fifty-first Pennsylvania. 

" General Parke's brigade in the centre, in the following 
order : Fourth Rhode Island, Eighth Connecticut, Eleventh 
Connecticut, and Fifth Rhode Island. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 93 

" On both sides the number of assailants and defendants 
was about equal, but the advantage clearly lay with the 
enemy, who was emboldened by his sense of security be- 
hind his defenses. 

" Burnside immediately ordered General Foster to ad- 
vance along the road to the enemy's left ; General Parke 
to follow him up until opposite the enemy's centre, while 
General Reno was to keep along the railroad and attack 
his right." * 

Amid the crashes of the enemy's guns, the screech and 
whistle of grape, and the sweeping storm of bullets, our 
brave troops advanced on the left, and a portion of the 
Twenty-first Massachusetts being first to reach the enemy's 
works, dashed up and over them with a ringing cheer. But 
they being small in number and unsupported, were soon over- 
powered and driven back. Our brigade was now ordered 
forward. Under a heavy fire the old Fourth made its way 
through the brush and timber, and reaching the railroad lay 
low, waiting for orders. Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, of the 
Twenty-first Massachusetts, had now brought his men near 
the railroad, after his heroic charge and failure to hold the 
fort, and advancing to meet Colonel Rodman, informed him 
of the situation and advised him to assault with the Fourth 
Regiment. 

Our colonel immediately decided to advance the regiment 
without orders, taking the responsibility of the movement 
on his own shoulders ; and, dispatching an aide to General 
Parke to inform him of what he was about to do, gave the 
order " Fourth Rhode Island fall in." 

The boys were ready for the work. Moving by the right 
flank for a short distance to a slight rise of ground, and 
then '* on right by files into line " they advanced at a quick 
step on the rebel line. 

* From Woodbury's Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps. 



94 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Shot and shell, grape and minie-balls greeted their ap- 
proach, and the men began to drop before the murderous 
fire ; yet never swerving from their onward course, they 
steadily advanced, loading and firing as fast as possible, 
till within a hundred yards of the works, when, with a cheer, 
they charged home, and planting their colors on the ram- 
parts, swarmed over the breast-works. A short, fierce strug- 
gle, and the fort was ours, and the beaten and dismayed 
rebel host fied to the rear, leaving many prisoners in our 
hands. 

It was a grand charge. Totally unsupported, they had 
secured the key to the whole rebel line. The Eighth Con- 
necticut and the Fifth Rhode Island, sent to our support by 
General Parke, now arrived, but too late to share the glory 
with us. The Eighth Connecticut, however, planted their 
state colors on the ramparts. x\t this instant General Burn- 
side rode up and seeing two colors floating over the battery, 
inquired "What regiment captured this battery?" Our 
colonel, Rodman, replied: "The Fourth, General, the 
Fourth." Taking of^^ his hat and slapping his hand on his 
knee with emphasis, the old hero remarked, " I knew it, 
I knew it. It is no more than I expected. Thank God, the 
day is ours." 

A lull in the battle, occasioned by our success, now oc- 
curred, during which our boys ransacked the fort they had 
so nobly won. In the rebel officers' quarters quite a quan- 
tity of whiskey was found. This was most acceptable 
after the wet and cold march of the last two days, and they 
took immediate possession in the name of Uncle Sam. Not 
having vessels wherewith to carry it away, they poured 
most of it down their throats. 

The action on the left was not yet over. General Reno's 
brigade was still hotly engaged. The Eighth Connecticut 
and Fifth Rhode Island were now sent out as skirmishers,. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 95 

and found the enemy yet in full possession of the redoubts 
and rifle-pits on the other side of the railroad, and firmly 
holding their ground. 

Orders came from General Parke to " Forward the Fourth 
Rhode Island and drive them out." " Fall in," " Counter- 
march," and " Forward," was the order, and with a ring- 
ing cheer that boded a second victory for the Fourth Regi- 
ment, the boys started. 

The works and rifle-pits, their objective point, were filled 
with the enemy, who held their fire until the regiment was 
within 200 yards of them, at the railroad, when they poured 
in a terrible storm of musketry. 

The boys dropped on their faces to avoid, as much as pos- 
sible, its effects, and then up and at them. " They quickl}^ 
cleared the rifle pits, stormed the redoubts, and carried 
away everything before them." 

Thus, the second time that day, were the colors of the 
Fourth Rhode Island planted in triumph on the enemy's 
works. Alone and unaided they had charged the rebel 
line at these two points without defeat, and now with vic- 
tory perched upon their banners, they prepared to pursue 
the flying enemy towards Newbern. 

The whole force now started in pursuit, one column tak- 
ing the main road and the other the railroad. All along 
were seen evidences of the haste the panic-stricken rebels 
had made in their retreat. Guns, equipments, knapsacks, 
and wounded men were strewn over the road, and a thick, 
black cloud of smoke rising and curling up into the heavens 
directly in range of the city, told our pursuing columns 
that the enemy had set fire to the bridge over the river, and 
that for the time being, their pursuit was at an end. They 
reached the smoking, blazing bridge about 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon. Here a short halt was made, when the troops 
were ordered to encamp. 



^6 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Our regiment took possession of the deserted camp of the 
Twenty-seventh North Carolina (Wild Cats) Regiment, 
where they found an abundance of stores of all kinds. Here 
they lived in ease and luxuriance for the next three days, 
when orders were received for another move. And now, 
having chronicled the experience and part taken in this 
battle by the Fourth Regiment as a regiment, let us go 
back aboard the Perry, and detail the experience of the 
writer and his comrades in the naval detachment. 

With the morning light of the 14th we resumed our work 
of shelling the woods and enemy's batteries ashore, all 
the time advancing slowly up the river, until we came to 
a line of obstructions, consisting of sunken vessels rigged 
with spar torpedoes, through which we endeavored to force 
our way. 

The Perry in going through, struck one of these torpe- 
does, which pierced her hull, breaking off the spar, and 
carrying away the torpedo with us. Fortunately it did not 
explode. But the retreat of the rebels had been too hasty 
for us, and before we could reach the bridge and cut off 
their retreat they had crossed over and set it on fire in 
several places. 

The bridge was a very long, well made structure, and 
was now a heavy, crackling mass of flames. Great, black 
clouds of smoke rolled up to the skies, and joining the thick 
columns from the city, which had been set on fire by the 
demoralized rebels, spread like a huge black mantle above 
us, completely hiding the sun from view. 

Another prize in the shape of a new three-masted schooner 
fitting out for a blockade runner, was taken from the vicin- 
ity of the bridge by a boat's crew from the Perry, and sev- 
eral other vessels were also captured by others of our fleet. 

We now anchored off the city, and boats from the fleet 
immediately put off, and landing, their crews took posses- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 97 

sion, and set at work putting out the fires, which were 
spreading rapidly and threatened to destroy the whole place. 

After nightfall the illumination from these fires was 
grand. The great arches of the bridge, with every post, 
rail, and brace, all ablaze, and ever and anon, great tim- 
bers falling with a hissing crash into the water below, send- 
ing up showers of golden sparks scintillating in the great 
black cloud above them, the huge fires in the city and the 
innumerable camp fires of our victorious troops on the other 
side of the river, all combined to form a scene of grandeur, 
that, once witnessed, can never be forgotten. Towards 
morning, the fires in the city were got under control, and 
at daylight, troops landed, and henceforth occupied the 
place till the end of the war. 

The total loss in this battle on our side was ninety-one 
killed, and 466 wounded and missing, of whom our regi- 
ment numbered twelve killed, and twenty-two wounded. 
Of my company, B, Samuel Myrick was killed, and 
Robert Kenworthy, Reuben Healey, and Rhodes Matteson 
wounded. Kenworthy died the next day of his wounds. 

Samuel Myrick was the eldest of three brothers in Com- 
pany B, the other two being Cromwell P. and Solomon. 
He seemed to have a strong presentiment of his coming fate. 
Naturally of a cheerful disposition, and well liked by all 
his comrades, his thoughtful and sober manner as we ap- 
proached the day of battle was remarked by many of his 
company. He was in the habit of taking snuff, and often 
presented his box among us to take a pinch with him. 
During the battle while lying at the railroad, he suddenly 
took out his snuff box, and invited the boys to take a 
pinch with him " for the last time." It was accepted, 
and a little later the leaden messenger came, and poor Sam 
dropped dead. This was the first man Company B ever 



98 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

lost in battle, and we lelt that there were other men whom 
we could better have spared. A little over two years later 
his brother Cromwell was killed in front of Petersburg, 
Va., and only Solomon was left to come home to the grief 
stricken family. Colonel Rodman was slightly wounded 
and Captain Tillinghast was killed. 

On the 17th of March the regiment broke camp and 
went aboard the Eastern ^icen for the last time. On the 
same day orders were received by Captain Flusser, of our 
boat, to return the naval detachment to the regiment. Ac- 
cordingly we packed up our duds, bade Captain Flusser, 
the old Perry, and our shipmates good-bye, and joined 
the regiment on the Eastern J^teen, after about eight 
weeks' experience in the navy of the United States. 

The regiment being all together again on their old 
friend and transport, — with the exception of a few who were 
left on the Perry a while longer, and others sick and 
wounded in the hospital ashore, and those others who slept 
the sleep of the brave in their cold, narrow beds of earth, — 
the steamer weighed anchor, and moved down the river to 
Slocum's Creek. 

Here we bade good-bye forever to the old Eastern 
^leen, and with all our baggage, embarked on board the 
old " Wheelbarrow," and after a sail of twelve miles up the 
creek, landed and went into camp. 

The Fifth Rhode Island and Eighth Connecticut landed 
here, and it was evident that our old commander. General 
Burnside, was about to strike another blow at the already 
shattered Confederacy on this coast. After having 
stopped here two days, we moved on towards Carolina 
City, halting that night at a deserted rebel post, known as 
Newport Barracks. The next morning we again took the 
road, and in the afternoon arrived at Carolina City, on the 
shores of Bogue Sound. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 99 

Here we struck the Atlantic and North Carolina Rail- 
road, and encamped. A large hotel, turpentine works, 
and a few other buildings composing this city were de- 
stroyed by the rebels shortly before our arrival, and all 
that remained of them were black, smoking ruins. 

A mile or two further on lay another small collection of 
houses and a large railway station and wharves, the 
railroad terminating at this point. This place was called 
Morehead City. Being situated on an inlet from the 
sea, it was a fine resort for blockade runners, communi- 
cating as it did with the interior of the Confederacy by a 
direct line of railway, and protected by the guns of Fort 
Macon, just at the entrance of the harbor. 

At the wharf, in front of the railroad station, lay a large 
bark, just unloading, while out in the harbor another bark 
was discovered at anchor, both flying the English colors, 
having successfully run the blockade of our fleet outside, 
with large and valuable cargoes ; but had now, to use a 
homely expression, "jumped out of the frying-pan into 
the fire." 

The night before our arrival here, our advance guard 
reached the place and quietly took possession of this vessel 
at the wharf. As for the other, it lay beyond our reach. 
The night after our arrival, the crew of the latter vessel 
finding their consort captured, and themselves in rather a 
tight place, deemed " discretion better than valor," and 
just after dark set their ship on fire as she lay at her 
anchorage, and escaped to the fort in their boats. 

We watched the burning ship with much interest, and as 
the flames grew brighter and flashed aloft among her rigg- 
ing, throwing a bright reflection over the waters, suddenly 
there came a low rumbling explosion, as the flames reached 
her magazine, a bright glare, a lifting high up in the air 
of her decks and spars, a falling of the debris, and all 



lOO FORTV-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

became once more dark and still, and the shattered hulk 
sank to the bottom. 

Directly opposite, and easterly from our camp, lay a 
long strip of sand and woods called Bogue Banks. On 
the northeast end of this strip was located a large govern- 
ment fort of the first class, called Fort Macon. It was 
taken possession of in the early part of the war by a body 
of rebels, and where the Stars and Stripes had floated for 
so many 3'ears, could now be seen the rebel colors waving 
defiance in the morning breeze. The fort mounted sixty- 
seven guns of large calibre, and was garrisoned by 500 
men under command of Col. Moses J. White. 

It was evident that this fort was the objective point of 
Burnside's movement in this direction, and that sooner or 
later that hated flag must come down. General Parke 
immediately demanded the surrender of the fort. It was 
refused ; and operations against it by siege lines at once 
commenced. 

In a northwesterly direction, and across the bay, about 
two miles distant, was situated the town of Beaufort, once 
famous as a watering-place for the aristocracy of the South, 
and now under the ban of Confederate rule. Between the 
fort and the town lay a long and narrow marshy island, 
composed mostly of mud, sea grass, and oysters, but from 
its peculiar situation, in the middle of the harbor, it created 
a channel flowing from Bogue Banks to the town. The 
eastern point of this marshy island was within 300 yards 
of the fort, thus preventing any approach to Beaufort by 
water from Morehead City, except it be directly under the 
guns of the fort. At flood-tide a passage could be made 
past the western end of this island, but then within easy 
range of the enemy's guns. But once the other side of this 
mud bank, it was good water and clear sailing up to the 
wharves of the city. 

In order to regain possession of the fort it was necessary 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. lOI 

to first take possession of Beaufort, as well to have a base 
of operations as to cut off the enemy's retreat, and also to 
stop communication between the fort and their friends on 
shore. This was rather a difficult and dangerous operation, 
and required much skill and cool courage in the under- 
taking. 

A dark, wet, and foggy night was selected for this expe- 
dition, as it was obliged to pass by the fort in boats, di- 
rectly under its guns, and two companies, A and B, of our 
regiment, together with two companies of the Eighth Con- 
necticut, were detailed to accomplish this perilous job. Of 
course, no other than row-boats could be used and these 
were prepared and moored close under the wharves at 
Morehead City. 

At midnight of March 21st, these four companies were 
quietly drawn up in line, and as silently as possible pro- 
ceeded down the railroad to the wharves, where the boats 
lay, and embarked on their perilous enterprise. All being 
ready, we noiselessly cast loose from the wharf and moved 
out in the channel, the boats being manned by colored 
fishermen, who were thoroughly conversant with these 
waters, and were faithful guides. Drifting with the current, 
now setting out to sea, we sailed directly down towards the 
fort. 

The time was most propitious, for the night being dark 
and misty, and a thick fog settled around us, we were 
effectually screened from the watchful eyes of our enemies. 

As we slowly sailed along, each boat following the 
leader, in which was our pilot, we almost held our breath, 
and, lying low in the boats, preserved the utmost silence, as 
the gray walls and dark bank of the fort loomed up through 
the fog, on our starboard side. 

The least noise — a cough, the splash of an oar — would 
have discovered us to the sentry on the parapet, not a hun- 
dred yards from us, and would have been the signal for 



I02 I-ORTV-SIX .MO.N'niS WITH Till, 

our destruction under the merciless fire of those huge, black 
dogs of war, that now we could just see, looking grimly 
forth from their embrasures. 

We heard the sentry on the parapet pacing to and fro, 
dreaming, perhaps, of home and loved ones, or speculating 
on the unrequitted hardships and dangers of a soldier's life, 
yet in blissful ignorance of the near presence of us, his 
deadly enemies. 

But our hearts leaped to our throats and we grasped our 
arms more firmly as we heard the sentry's voice in a sharp, 
quick tone, cry, " Halt ! who comes there?" 

Were we discovered at last? Hush, lie still; not a 
sound, not a breath — but in the next instant we heard the 
sound of many feet, and the answer to the sentr^^'s chal- 
lenge, "Relief," in the voice of the rebel corporal, as he was 
at that moment passing around to relieve his guard. 

We were not discovered, thanks to our Protector above, 
and to the thick, dark fog around us, which, had it lifted 
then would have betrayed us to the enemy. In a few 
moments more we had drifted past the fort, and soon the 
mufiled oars were put to work. The colored oarsmen 
pulled for all the}' were worth, and we drew a long breath 
of relief as we rounded the eastern end of the island and 
moved swiftly over the waters toward the city. 

It was near two o'clock when we reached the wharves of 
Beaufort, and landing as silently as possible, advanced 
through the dark and deserted streets. 

Guards were posted on all the wharves, and in rear of 
the town a line of pickets was established, and the re- 
mainder of our little expedition that had so narrowly 
escaped destruction, took up their quarters in some of the 
deserted houses, — of which there were many in the place, — 
and tried to get a little sleep after our exciting, dangerous, 
but successful adventure. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. IO3 

March, 1862. 



CHAPTER VII. 



FORT MACON. 



FANCY the surprise of the inhabitants as they arose 
the next morning to find the town in full possession 
of the United States forces. Although they had 
retired to rest the night before with the knowledge that the 
enemy were but two miles away, yet they had full con- 
fidence in Colonel White and his rebel troops at the fort to 
defend them against the approach of the "• Northern hire- 
lings," and knowing there was no other way to reach the 
town but by passing under his guns, they had slept in 
blissful consciousness that the " cowardly mudsills " would 
never dare attempt such a feat. 

But alas for human calculation, and especially that part 
pertaining to Beaufort's inhabitants. Here they were, those 
hated " bluebellies," about one hundred or more, stalking 
about the town as if they owned the whole place and had 
always lived here. Little knots of people assembled at the 
street corners and discussed the situation. The women folks, 
who had been instructed by the rebel authorities that the 
most outrageous and barbarous conduct would be observed 
upon the occupation of the town by these Yankee troops, 
kept themselves well in doors, only now and then yielding 
to woman's curiosity, and peering through the blinds or 
•doors to see where and when the devastation commenced. 



I04 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

But to their surprise, they saw only a few soldiers patrolling 
the streets, dressed neatly^ and in every respect behaving 
themselves like gentlemen. 

A few Union people were found here, who, to the great 
disgust of the rebel element, freely mingled with ourbovs, 
shaking them by the hand,- rendering them all the aid and 
information in their power, and joyfully accepting the 
situation as relieving them from the petty persecutions of 
their rebel townspeople and from the odium attaching to 
the Confederacy in North Carolina. 

The negroes, for a wonder, kept aloof at first. We had 
expected they would be the first to greet us, in view of their 
long-prayed-for freedom from slavery. But it was not so. 
We could not get them to come near us, unless through fear 
of their lives. Now and then one or more could be seen 
staring at us from behind some corner or building, but on 
our approach would dart out of sight in an instant. 

The reason of this conduct on their part was soon made 
known to us by one of the old colored men of the town, 
who had been a slave all his life. The old fellow got cor- 
nered by some of our boys, and seeing that no harm was 
likely to ensue from contact with us, was drawn into con- 
versation, and something like the following colloquy took 
place : 

" Uncle John, what makes all the niggers so afraid of 
us?" 

" Well, marster," replied the old fellow, with a grin that 
stretched his mouth almost over his shoulders, " I specs it's 
cause dey reckons you uns is debbils. See our young mar- 
ser done gone way to de fort, fo' to fight de Yankees, an' our 
ole marser he done say mo' as dem Yankees hab cotched 
Newbun, and dey kill all ole nigger lak me, marser, and 
dey done eat all de little pickaninies up, like as if dey was 
roas' pig. And he say you-uns hab horns in de head, and 
split huff', lak as de good book say de debbil look, and mo' 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. IO5 

as dem Yankees burn up eberyting dey come 'cross. Ise 
po' ole nigger, marser, an' doan know nuffin, but I doan see 
but you uns has head and fut lak white folks, bress my 
Lord." 

And here the old fellow seeing his master approaching, 
humbly put his hand to the top of his head, and bowed 
reverently, and at his master's gruff command, " You, John, 
get out of this, and mind you now," quietly hobbled away 
to his quarters. 

But he doubtless spread the news among his colored 
friends "mo' as dem Yankees was jus' lak white folks," for 
they soon became quite tractable and told us all we desired to 
know of the town and its inhabitants. These ignorant 
people had been really taught to regard us as nothing less 
than devils, who had all the appurtenances of his satanic 
majesty, including the power of burning everything we 
touched. This idea was doubtless exemplified and im- 
pressed upon their minds by the burning of Newbern, 
Carolina City, Elizabeth City, and the blockade runners 
out in this vicinity, which, though done by the rebels them- 
selves, were no doubt credited to us by the simple-minded 
colored population. 

In the flush times before the war this town contained 
some three thousand inhabitants and was a favorite resort 
for the Southerners during the heat of the summer, being 
situated nearly open to the sea and enjoying all the facil- 
ities of boating, bathing, and fishing, and the exhilarating 
sea breeze. But by its proximity to the sea-coast and its 
liability to attack, as an important military post, it had, since 
Burnside struck this coast in force, been deserted by nearly 
all its inhabitants. Those that remained seemed to do 
nothing but fish or congregate in the few little stores in the 
place to talk over the affairs of their beloved Confederacy. 

There were several large hotel buildings, the largest of 
which, at the northern end of the town, was subsequently 



loO ^•(Mr^^■-sI\ months w iiii iiiii: 

;ippro]M-i;iUHl lo our use as a orm-ial hospital. The others 
turuisluHl cxci'UeiU quarters for oui" troo|is. 

Several small stores were opeu to eateh what little traile 
reniaiui-il iu tlu' plaee. To one ol'these slitres, kept l\v two 
old men, dressed in the inevitable rebel i;ray, I went one 
dav to purehase some letter paper and other small articles, 
and iu pa\nuMU theri'lor, tendi-red a United States Tri-asury 
note. It was refused with the contt'mptible remark, "We uns 
don't take sueh stuiV here. Va' you want lo buy ooods you 
will have to _i;it that ehan^ed into ^ood niom-y. We dou\ 
lake uolhiuL;' but i\)iif\-dn-alc moni'y here." And so 1 
had to do before I eouUl purehase anythino- iVom these peo- 
ple. Hut after a short time they were <;lad to ehanoe their 
tune, and wouKl not refuse to take "oreenbaeks," and stow 
them away also, lor their I'uture valui> o\er Conteilerale 
serij-) sotMi beeame apparent. 

The nioiit of our exju'dition lo ami eaplure of this plaee 
I look a severe eold, from wet and exjutsure, whieh soon 
extendeil to my Innos and began to assume serious pro- 
portions, inasnuieh as I was hardly able to breathe and 
could not sjieak above a whisjUM-. There beino- no sm-geon 
here at this lime, and my ease orowing rajMcUy worse Irom 
want of projHvr eare and medicine, my orderly sergeant 
found passage for me in a small boat going over to More- 
head City one morning, in charge o\ foiu" men ol the 
Eio-hth Connecticut Regiment. 

The tiile being at Hood, we could easily jxiss around that 
euil of the belore mentiiHU'd islaml, farthest from the fort, 
and we started. As we came within easy range (W her guns, 
she let ll\' two solid thirt\-Uvo jiound shot, which, however, 
did US no damage, and in a short lime we were landed at 
the wharf, at Morehead City. 

Here 1 tound myself in a very unpleasant situation for a 
sick man . The Cminecticut boys went olT about their busi- 
ness anil lett me alone. 1 hail over a mile lo walk lo gel to 



foijR'ih uwoDi: island vom;ntkkks. 107 

our hospital at Carolina City, with hardly wind enough to 
go ten feet. Sick and feeble, I started up the road, but that 
was the toughest journey I ever made. I was forced to stop 
at every hundred yards and lie down and rest, and in this 
manner, dislieart(;nefl and exhausted, I finally reached the 
surgeon's tent. 

""Jliere was only the steward in attendance. From him 1 
learned that the surgeon had gone over to Bogue Banks 
that morning, and it was not possible for him (the steward) 
to give me permission to enter the hospital without orders 
from the doctor, f>r to jirescribe anything for my relief. Sick 
and discouraged, iiardiy able to breathe, and suflc-ring 
intensely from the distressed conditionof my lungs, 1 slowly 
moved away toward a piece of woods across the railroad, 
hoping to reach them and lie down to sleep, not caring 
much wliether I ever awoke again in this world or not. Had I 
reached these woods unobserved there never was any doubt in 
my mind but that it would have been my last resting-place. 
All I had with me of my possessions was a little Bible 
my dear old grandmother gave me upon leaving home. I 
earnestly desired to get into the woods unobserved, read a 
few chapters of that Holy Book, say my prayers, lie down, 
and go to sleep — forever. Hugging my book to my breast, 
I crawled along slowly, when suddenly I heard voices, and 
presently the hospital nurse, James P. Gardiner, of my com- 
pany, and another one, whom I had not life enough at the 
time to recognize, hastened up, and perceiving my condi- 
tion, carried me to the hospital without waiting for orders 
from any one, undressed me, gave me a warm drink, and 
put me to bed. 

The doctor came immediately upon his return from the 
banks, and pronounced my case congestion of the lungs. 
With good doctoring and the best of care, and being natu- 
rally of a strong constitution, I soon began to mend under the 
hands of my faithful old nurse, and while I was convalesc- 



I08 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

ing, a few little incidents of hospital life that came under 
my personal observation may be worth noting here. 

This ward contained the sick and wounded of the Fourth 
Regiment, together with two or three wounded rebels, who 
received the same care and treatment as our own men. 
We occupied about twenty cot beds, ten on each side. 
Nearly all of these were filled with men in various stages 
of disease or wounds. Several died during the few days 
of our stay here, and nearl}^ every other evening at sunset 
could be heard the muffled roll of the drum and mournful 
notes of the fife as some poor victim of disease or the ene- 
my's shot was slowly borne by his comrades to his last, 
long home. 

Next cot to the writer lay a young man of the Fourth 
Regiment, by the name of Charlie Bibbs, very sick with 
a fever, and during the few days of our acquaintance 
which ripened into friendship, I would often, at his re- 
quest, take the full care of him, giving him his medicine 
from the nurse, or hobbling out to the sutler's to get him 
some little nicety, such as oranges, can of preserves, etc. 

As he drew near his end, he seemed unable to recognize 
ally one except the nurse and myself. He had a father and 
brother in the same company. The day before he died 
they came over to see him, but he was unable to recognize 
them. 

The next evening, I awoke from a short nap to find him 
getting out of bed. I asked him where he was going. He 
replied " I am going home. I ain't going to stay in this 
place any longer." After much persuasion he was put back 
into bed but in a short time began a hard spell of vomiting. 
I held him in my arms until he seemed better, but upon lay- 
ing him back upon the bed I noticed a change, and calling 
the nurse, I felt of his heart. It was still, and the nervous 
twitching of his mouth told us his spirit had forever fled. 

Poor Charlie I In the loner and weary liours of his sick- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. IO9 

ness he had often spoken to me of his home and his dear 
mother, and longed for the day to come when he should re- 
ceive his discharge, hoping at every entrance of the surgeon 
that he had come to bring him his papers, but, like thou- 
sands upon thousands of others who might have been sent 
home to die among friends and relatives, he was suffered to 
lie here day after day and week after week, until hope 
yielded to despair, and he gave up his young life a sacrifice 
upon the altar of his country, with no mother to fold him to 
her breast, with no kind sister or friends to ease his dying 
hours, without even a man of God to console the last few 
moments of life with the blessed promises of the Gospel ; 
and at sunset he was borne away upon the guns of his 
comrades to his narrow bed of earth, and there left to sleep 
until the Resurrection morn. 

A death in the hospital casts a spirit of gloom and de- 
spondency over the rest of the inmates, and especially 
when one seemingly so full of the promises of life as was 
this, our young friend, is taken awa3^ But after a few 
days this feeling wore away, other things claimed our at- 
tention, and orders were received for the removal of this 
hospital to better quarters at Beaufort. We were trans- 
ported in boats across the bay, and arrived without acci- 
dent at the wharf of our new hospital. We occupied the 
largest building in the place, formerly used as a hotel, and 
situated at the northern end of the town. It commanded 
a beautiful view of the bay and ocean beyond, was plenti- 
fully provided with good rooms, walks, and fresh air, and 
was doubtless the best place in the state for a general hos- 
pital for our sick and wounded men. 

The supply of food given us was very meagre, not near 
enough to satisfy the craving appetite of those who were 
just convalescing, and the writer, having a little money on 
hand, was forced to repair to a bakery near by, and invest 



no FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

his scrip in molasses cookies at forty cents a dozen, and 
sweet potato pies at fifty cents each. 

As my appetite increased in proportion to my ability to 
get about, so in like manner did my scrip decrease, until 
at last I left my last shinplaster at the baker's, and de- 
voured my last molasses cookie and sweet potato pie. My 
friend, the baker, refused to trust me for any more, so I 
made up my mind to leave this hospital with or without 
orders and go up to the company cook-house and get one 
good square meal. 

So, one morning, after I had attended sick call and 
thrown away, as usual, my ration of physic, I went up to 
my room, packed up my duds, and passing the guard un- 
observed, made tracks for my company quarters. Arriving 
there, I went straight to the cook-house and filled up my 
empty stomach with boiled pork and beans, and then 
marched up to Captain Buffum's quarters and reported my- 
self for duty. He gave me a scolding for leaving the hos- 
pital, but upon my telling him of our starving condition 
down there, he allowed me to remain in the quarters until 
I got strong enough for duty. But imagine my chagrin 
when he informed me that if I had staid a week longer I 
should have received my discharge and been sent home^ 
as my papers, with those of two others in the hospital from 
our company, Corp. William B. Starkey and Augustus T. 
Thornton, were made out and all ready to be signed, — 
another illustration of the good luck that has clung to 
me through life. But my feelings were somewhat ap- 
peased when I learned that the other two had also forfeited 
their discharge. Starkey felt so pleased at the prospect 
of discharge that he got drunk over it, and thus spoiled 
his chance. Thornton gave himself away in some manner,, 
and that was the end of his opportunity to see home, as the 
poor fellow was killed in battle two years subsequently. 

Meanwhile, Fort Macon had fallen into our possession. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. Ill 

Three days after our arrival at Carolina City, as recorded 
in the previous chapter, Company K crossed over to 
Bogue Banks, and after destroying the large salt works 
erected there, encamped near by. A few days subse- 
quently Companies B and H crossed, and these three 
companies joining forces, formed a skirmish line extending 
across the island, and drove in the rebel pickets belonging 
to the fort, establishing our picket line in place of theirs. 

This position was held until the rest of our regiment 
crossed, when another advance was made. Being reen- 
forced by the Fifth Rhode Island Regiment, which now 
crossed from our old camp, a final advance was made to- 
ward the fort, and after some little skirmishing, we drove the 
rebel pickets inside of their works, and established our line 
one-third of a mile in front of Fort Macon. And now began 
preparations to reduce the fort. A graphic account of the 
manner of procedure, I beg leave to quote from Headley : 

" The heavy siege guns and other material to reduce this 
strong fort must be brought from Newbern, and there 
being no locomotives on the road between Carolina City 
and Newbern, they must be carried by steamer fifteen 
miles to the head of Slocum's Creek, and then hauled one 
mile to Havelock Station. 

" At the latter place they were placed on platform cars, 
and by the aid of mules slowly hauled to Carolina City, the 
headquarters of General Parke. Here there was a turn- 
out and short track leading to a wharf on the edge of 
Bogue Sound, where the guns, mortars, and ammunition 
were received on board flat-boats and conveyed across the 
sound to Bogue Beach, a distance of a mile and a half. 

" When these heavy guns and other ponderous material 
were on board the flats, the labor of transporting them to 
the desired place had but just been commenced. The sound 
is so shallow for more than half the distance across that it 



112 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

can easily be sounded by wading knee deep, a narrow 
channel containing only five or six feet of water intervening. 

" Having reached the opposite shore at a point about four 
miles due west from Fort Macon, a wide marsh was to be 
crossed, in which the wheels of the artillery carriages sank 
to the hub, and when this obstacle was crossed, a contin- 
uous line of sandy knolls was reached, extendino- to the 
fort. These sand hills were covered by a stunted growth 
of brush and brier, in which the wheels sank to the axle, 
requiring a great force to move the massive guns." 

During the time occupied by this slow and tedious work 
of getting these batteries into position, our boys kept up a 
fire upon the rebel pickets near the fort and on the garrison 
as often as one could be seen. 

The fort at this time mounted sixty guns, and was garri- 
soned by about four hundred men under Col. Moses J. 
White. The batteries with which we hoped to reduce this 
stronghold were three in number, two of mortars, and one 
of siege guns. The first battery was built under cover of 
the sand hills, and about fourteen hundred yards from the 
tort. It consisted of four ten-inch mortars. The second 
battery was located 1,300 hundred yards from the fort, and 
nearly in the centre of the island. Its armament was three 
long rifled thirty-pound Parrot guns. The last battery, 
consisting of four eight-inch mortars, was placed about 
twelve hundred yards from the fort. Trenches and rifle- 
pits connected one with the other, and also formed a de- 
fense and shelter to our men. 

As soon as our object was descried by the garrison of the 
fort, they commenced a lively cannonade of our position, 
but without injury. During a lull in the firing, one face- 
tious individual in our lines cried out to the Johnnies, " Eat 
your eggs if you like, but stop throwing the shells at us." 

On Wednesday, April 23d, everything being in readiness 
to open fire, Burnside sent a flag of truce to the fort with a 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. II3 

demand for its surrender. The flag returned. The fort 
would fight ; and at half-past six Thursday morning, the first 
gun from our batteries sent its heavy shell screeching through 
the air over into the doomed garrison. Peal upon peal fol- 
lowed. The mortars joined in the assault, while the guns 
from the fort answered shot for shot, but our batteries be- 
ing so low and almost hidden in the sandy hills, little dam- 
age was done us. 

The battle's roar increased for the first hour or two, our 
shot falling wild at first, but as our gunners gradually got 
their range, its destructive work was soon perceived. The 
floating batteries on the coast outside the fort were now pass- 
ing over their shot and shell, but a brisk breeze springing up, 
the swell of the sea prevented them from holding a range, 
and in a short time they withdrew, leaving the job for the 
land force to accomplish. 

The floating batteries consisted of eight vessels, as fol- 
lows : Steamer Daylight^ which received one shot, wound- 
ing two of her men; State of Georgia^ and Chippewa,, 
also the gunboat Ellis and bark Gemsbok, together with 
the mortar vessels. Grenade, Grapeshot, and Shrapnell, 
all under the command of Commander Lockwood. 

So accurate was our fire that by 3 o'clock in the afternoon 
all of the guns of the fort were either dismounted or 
silenced, except two, which now and then replied to us 
to let us know they were still at home to visitors. About 
4 o'clock, the firing from the fort ceased, and a white flag 
was seen to float from its flag-staff". 

A long, rolling cheer of triumph greeted this signal of 
victory from our boys, and preparations were at once made 
to receive the surrender. Colonel White, commander of 
the fort, went on board the steamer Alice Price, where he 
met General Burnside, and the terms, of which the follow- 
ing is an official transcript, were signed : 



114 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

"Article i. — The fort, armament, and garrison to be 
surrendered to the forces of the United States. 

" Article 2. — The officers and men of the garrison to 
be released on their parole of honor not to take up arms 
against the United States of America until properly ex- 
changed, and to return to their homes, taking with them all 
their private effects, such as clothing, bedding, books, etc." 

Immediately after Colonel White's return, there was a 
great bustle inside the fort ; the men hurrying to and fro, 
and all who had been watching our movements from the 
ramparts were seen to gather inside the fort. In a short time 
the sally-port gates were opened, and the whole rebel force 
marched out, and forming a square on the green, stacked 
arms, and went back to take a final farewell of their late 
stronghold. 

The Fifth Rhode Island Regiment was now ordered to 
vacate the trenches and form line on the beach, and with the 
band of our regiment at their head, marched into the fort, 
up and around the ramparts, and took formal possession. 

"The pitted walls, cracked and shattered stonework, 
broken coping, yawning ditches in the slope outside, dis- 
mounted and disabled guns, sand-bags scattered in confu- 
sion, all testified to the accuracy of our gunners and the 
weight of their material. 

"One of our Parrot shot struck a gun carriage, killed 
one of the gunners, crossed over, killed two more of the 
garrison, and wounded several. 

"The rebel loss was seven killed and eighteen wounded. 
About three hundred and twenty prisoners were put aboard 
steamers and carried to Wilmington and Newbern. Fifteen 
guns were dismantled by our batteries, while theirs dis- 
mounted one siege gun for us, killing one man and wound- 
ing two. 

"Of 1,100 shot thrown by us at the fort, 560 struck 
and did good execution. The rebels fired, it is stated on 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. II5 

good authority, i,6oo shot and shell. The rebel ordnance 
officer surrendered 20,000 pounds of powder, 150 ten-inch 
shell, 250 thirty-two pound shot, and 400 stand of arms." 

The following is an official copy of General Burnside's 
orders, congratulatory of this great and important victory : 

HEADqi^ARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF NoRTH CaROLIXA. "I 

Beaufort Harbor, April 26th, 1862. / 

The General com'd'g takes peculiar pleasure in thanking General Parke 
and his brave command for the patriotic labor, fortitude, and courage dis- 
played in the investment and reduction of Fort Macon. Every patriotic 
heart will be filled with gratitude to God for having given to our beloved 
country such soldiers. The regiment and artillery companies engaged 
have the right to wear upon their colors the words 

" Fort Macon, April, 26th, 1862." 
By command of 

Major-General Burnside. 
Lewis Richmond, A. A. G. 

And thus fell Fort Macon. The brave men who fought 
so nobly in its defense w^ere now sent to their homes. A 
portion of them were taken by steamer over to Beaufort, 
where some of them lived. 

Crowds of the inhabitants, who had watched the progress 
of the fight from the house-tops, wharves, and every avail- 
able place, with anxiety for the fate of their loved ones, 
now rushed to the wharves to search with eager eyes 
among the prisoners for some relative or friend. Many 
were the hands-hakings and embracings, and many poor 
people looked in vain among them, as they landed, for 
some beloved form, and as they heard the sad tidings from 
the lips of their comrades, slowly turned away to their 
homes, now desolate, with hearts and heads bowed down 
with sorrow and mourning. 

But such is the inevitable result of war, and we, as well 
as these poor people could only bewail the fate that 
plunged our country into civil strife, and earnestly pray for 
the speedy end of this unnatural conffict that has set 
brother against brother, and father against son. 



Il6 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

May, 1862. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



A 



BEAUFORT TO NEWPORT NEWS. 

ND now having done our part in the subjugation 
of this coast, we were left in its defense, and settled 
down to camp life, thus affording us a much needed 
rest after the activity of our three months' campaign. 
Guards were posted around the town of Beaufort, and the 
regular routine of camp duties was observed. 

The blockade of the port was removed, in pursuance of 
general orders from Washington, commerce opened, and 
soon vessels from the North began to arrive, bringing us 
a regular mail and much needed supplies. We drilled four 
hours a day, and every evening went through the evolu- 
tions of "dress parade" on the main street of the town. 
This ceremony always drew together a large assembly of 
the townspeople, — who were now quite sociable, — as spec- 
tators. 

By our gentlemanly conduct we soon gained their respect 
and allayed their fears, and they freely mingled with us in 
conversation. Under our influence stores began to open 
again ; vessels laden with merchandise from the North, and 
at northern prices, soon landed at the wharves. Business 
of various kinds began to be resumed with cheerfulness 
and profit, and they at last acknowledged that we had 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. II7 

wrought a very great and acceptable change in their affairs, 
and many of the most rabid among them soon dropped 
their patriotic allusions to the Confederacy, and began to 
consider themselves as part and parcel of the United 
States Government once more. 

The regiment took up its quarters in some of the deserted 
hotels in the place. About the first of June a cargo of ice, 
sent by our kind friends at home, arrived for the regiment. 
It being extremely hot weather at this season of the year, 
this was a most acceptable present, and many thanks were 
returned for their kind interest in our welfare. 

June 3d, Colonel Rodman having received a commission as 
brigadier-general, left us for a short visit to Rhode Island. 
June 17th, Adjutant-General Mauran, of Rhode Island, 
arrived on a visit to us, and we were reviewed by him that 
afternoon. He had brought with him a beautiful sword, 
voted by the General Assembly of Rhode Island to General 
Burnside. On the 20th the presentation took place at New- 
bern, at which our regiment was present. Of all the troops 
of this expedition in line at the grand review on this happy 
occasion, the Fourth Rhode Island received the praise from 
General Burnside as being the "best looking, best drilled, 
and best disciplined regiment in line," a fact of which we 
might well feel proud. 

I would like to give here a. detailed account of this 
review and presentation, but being unfortunately one of 
the camp guard left back to guard the town of Beaufort 
during the absence of the regiment, I made no note of 
it other than the above. I will relate, however, an inci- 
dent or two that happened to the guard left behind, as com- 
ing under my personal observation. 

There were but few of us, comparatively, — possibly one 
hundred, including guards, cooks, sick men, prisoners, 
dead beats, etc., — that now held possession of the town, and 



Il8 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

each one being provided with arms and ammunition, it was 
expected that in case of an alarm, the small army of non- 
combatants would, for the sake of their own preservation, 
be ready to reenforce us of the regular guard detail, though 
they were not required to perform duty unless in a crisis of 
our defense, — to " fill the breach," as it were. 

The very night after the regiment had left for Newbern, 
about II o'clock, the pickets commenced a rapid fire. Im- 
mediately the drummer at the guard-house beat the " long 
roll," which was the signal for the cooks, convalescents, 
dead beats, and other non-combatants, to rally at the guard- 
house, and soon from all quarters these men came on a dead 
run, some without shoes or hats, and all half-dressed, and 
collected in an excited group ready to hold the guard-Ziouse 
at all hazards. 

The officer, or rather sergeant, in command was drunk 
and as full of fight as he was of commissary whiskey. 
Forming into line, we marched bravely out toward the 
picket line, that now, on the edge of the town, was keeping 
up a continual fire. 

Fully expecting from the noise they made, that some 
large rebel force had taken advantage of the regiment's ab- 
sence to gain possession of the town again, we were sur- 
prised, upon investigation, to find nothing of a warlike nature 
in front of our pickets, and after stopping their foolish fir- 
ing, we reestablished the line and marched back again 
to headquarters. 

It was amusing, now that the danger of an attack was 
over, to listen to the remarks of some of those non-com- 
batants, — men that never go into a fight, always finding 
some way to keep out of range : how bravely they would 
charge the enemy ; what plans of flanking, and other 
movements they suggested, in case of attack, were worthy 
the brain of a Scott orMcClellan. And in all these plans 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 



119 



it was noticed that they had, with true generalship, arranged 
a safe line of retreat in the small fishing smacks, to More- 
head City, across the bay. 

On the second night of our watch, one of the pickets dis- 
covered a stray calf in his immediate front, and being the 
biggest calf of the two, took it to be a rebel cavalry-man, 
and, of course, fired. This alarmed the other pickets, who, 
in turn, alarmed the town. Again was the " long roll "beat, 
again the guard and their concomitants turned out, and at 
double quick, with the drunken sergeant at their head, shout- 
ing "Forward,— hie — on to victory," proceeded to the 
picket line and advanced a short distance beyond, when one 
of the men stumbled over the dead calf, which at once gave 
rise to an investigation, a general cursing, reestablishment 
of the line, and safe retreat to the guard-house. 

We will not conjecture what foolish thing would have 
happened the third night, as the regiment returned from 
Newbern next day, greatly to the relief of our noble band 
of defenders. 

With the exception of the desertion of two of the regiment, 
nothing of importance occurred until the 30th of June. 
We can never forget our life in Beaufort, or the pleasant 
relations sustained with its inhabitants. Every man of our 
regiment who was there, could furnish incidents and ex- 
periences enough to fill a volume in itself, and the writer 
must leave each one to tell his own story, in his own way, 
only endeavoring to furnish in these pages the data of note- 
worthy experiences, that will help his comrades who read 
these lines to refresh their memory of those happy days of 
long ago. 

On June 30th we received marching orders. A large 
transport lay off the fort, waiting to take us aboard ; and 
packing up everything, we prepared to take a final leave 
of old Beaufort and all its pleasant associations. 



I20 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The next day, July ist, the old " Wheelbarrow" hauled 
up alongside the wharf; and leaving our quarters, equipped 
in heavy marching order, we embarked, and put off from 
the wharves, but had not proceeded half a mile when the 
orders were countermanded. We sailed back to the wharf, 
landed, and returned to our quarters. 

It was evident that a grand move was contemplated in 
some direction, for we were still under marching orders. 
The quartermaster's and commissary stores were put aboard 
the transport that lay out in the stream, and many were 
the conjectures of the boys as to our next destination. 

On the morning of July 3d, the signal corps transmitted 
a dispatch to us that caused our hearts to leap for joy. It 
was in these three words, 

" RICHMOND IS TAKEN." 

The excitement when this news gained circulation was 
immense. In a few minutes the streets and wharves were 
filled with soldiers and citizens, cheering, shaking hands, 
and congratulating each other on the joyful event. The 
band came out in force, and the inspiring notes of "Hail 
Columbia" and the "Star Spangled Banner," floated joy- 
fully in the morning air, and were echoed by a rousing 
salute of twenty-four guns from the fort across the harbor. 

The excitement continued all day, and in the evening the 
boys gathered in knots here and there and discussed the 
situation with light hearts ; and the prospect of our return- 
ing home to Rhode Island in the same transport that was 
to carry us to the battle-field seemed most bright. 

But what an array of sober faces and disappointed hopes 
greeted the eye the next morning, as the announcement was 
made, officially, of a mistake, a false report, and that Mc- 
Clellan was beaten^ was retreating from before Rich- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 121 

mond, and that we were to proceed immediately to his 
relief. 

Words cannot picture our disappointment. It was a 
great fall, — from the heights of accomplished victory down 
to the depths of disastrous defeat, and a call to the bloody 
field of battle again. This day, the 4th of July, which we 
had calculated to celebrate in a manner worthy of the 
great event we had so joyously hailed the day before, 
passed off dull and lonesome enough with us. In the af- 
ternoon we formed line, and marched up on the main 
street, where we halted and formed a hollow square. 

The Declaration of Independence was then read to us, 
and its grand words of inspiration renewed in our disap- 
pointed hearts the fire of patriotism, and we again conse- 
crated " our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor" to 
the cause of our beloved land, resolved to fight until the 
Sun of Peace should again arise in glorious and triumph- 
ant majesty over a once more united country. 

After the reading was over, we formed into a column of 
companies and marched through the principal streets of 
the town to the inspiring music of our band. In the even- 
ing the band closed the exercises of the day by turning 
out in antique costume, and marching through the town, 
playing all sorts of — anything but music — to the great 
amusement of soldiers and citizens, and the uproarious de- 
light of the colored population : and thus ended the day. 

July 6th we again packed up, and marching down to the 
wharf, where lay the old ' ' Wheelbarrow " in waiting for 
us, went aboard with all our bag and baggage. And bid- 
ding good-bye to Beaufort and its inhabitants, who congre- 
gated in crowds to see us off, amid the waving of hand- 
kerchiefs from the ladies, the cheers of the Fifth Rhode 
Island Regiment, that had come over from the fort the day 
before to relieve us, and the music of our band, which had 



122 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

been a source of great pleasure to the people during our 
stay, we moved slowly off into the channel, and soon were 
alongside the transport Emfirc City, which was to take us 
to our new field of action, and which we now boarded. 

We laid here at anchor all night, and at 2 o'clock the 
next afternoon the anchor was hove home, the great paddle- 
wheels began slowly to revolve, and we moved gracefully 
out past the fort, over the bar, and into the open sea be- 
yond. The city, the fort, and all their familiar surround- 
ings soon faded and dropped beneath the horizon of our 
view, and at sunset we were well out to sea, heading east 
northeast. We rounded old stormy Cape Hatteras that 
night, and being favored with calm weather this time, we 
experienced none of the discomfitures of our preceding 
voyage. 

July 8th, at four in the afternoon, we entered Hampton 
Roads, and dropped anchor off Fort Monroe. Our cam- 
paign in North Carolina was now ended. It was there we 
were first initiated into the mysteries of battle and received 
our "baptism of fire." It was there we first began to 
realize the hardships and perils of a soldier's life, and it 
was there we left many of our brave comrades, who, when 
last we were in these waters, were as full of life and hope 
as we now were, but who now lay sleeping in the cold em- 
brace of death on the sandy shores of old North Carolina. 

The next morning after our arrival in the "roads," we 
weighed anchor and sailed up the James River, and landed 
at Newport News, about eight or ten miles distant from 
Fort Monroe. It was off' this place that the battle between 
the rebel iron-clad, Merrimac, and our frigates, Minnesota,, 
Cumberland, and Congress, was fought but a short time 
before. 

In the middle of the river lay the ill-fated Cumberland, 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 123 

the sea reaching up to her " caps," and all her spars and 
rigging standing just as she went down. 

As we sailed slowly around her to get into the wharf, a 
feehng of sadness came over us as we thought of the hun- 
dreds of brave men who now lay still in death beneath those 
dark waters, and turning our gaze down the river to 
Craney Island, we beheld with some satisfaction the shape- 
less wreck of the ponderous engine of her destruction, the 
Aferrimac, disabled forever by the bravery of our powerful 
little Monitor. The wreck of the frigate Congress, de- 
stroyed at the same time as the Cumberland, lay stranded 
on the beach a short distance away, her charred and 
blackened timbers standing out of the sand and sea, — a 
monument to the bravery of her devoted crew. 

We were soon moored to the wharf, and went ashore. 
The day was one of the hottest we ever experienced, and 
as we toiled up the hill from the landing, and tramped 
along the dusty road to the place of our encampment, — a 
mile or so up the river, — for this short distance many 
dropped out of the ranks and sought the shade of the trees 
to rest and cool off. 

As we arrived at our camping-ground, we stacked arms, 
and were forced to wait till evening before pitching our 
tents. Many of us went down to the shore and indulged 
in the luxury of a good bath, and then sat down in the 
shade on the river bank and tried to keep cool until the 
evening approached and the burning sun sank to rest; 
and relieved from its scorching rays we began to build up 
our encampment. The next day began the regular duties 
of camp life. 

The writer, together with Comrade James Vizard, of 
Company K, was now detached from the regiment for 
service at the government bakery at this post. Both of 
us being bakers by trade, we were set at work getting out 



124 



FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 



fresh, soft bread for the hirge body of troops now at this 
place. There were two large, fourteen foot brick ovens 
at the bakery, and two gangs of men to work them night 
and day, relieving each other at the end of every twelve 
hours. We received forty cents a day in addition to our 
regular pay as soldiers, and double rations, the surplus of 
which we traded for milk, eggs, butter, and other luxuries, 
and though our work was hard and hot, still we lived well, 
and were content with our lot. 

With sixteen hands in each gang, we turned out, on an 
average, seventy -two hundred loaves of bread every twenty- 
four hours, and thus kept the troops supplied with good, 
fresh, nutritious food during their stay at this place. We 
were relieved from all military duty, and subject only to 
the orders of the major commanding this post, but, of 
course, were liable to be sent back to the regiment for 
duty whenever they should leave this place. 

And now trouble arose again in the regiment. Since 
the promotion of Colonel Rodman as brigadier-general, 
the regiment had been under command ol Lieut. -Col. 
George W. Tew, and we had confidently expected his 
promotion to the full colonelcy. He was a man ver}^ well 
liked by the entire regiment, and nothing would have 
pleased us better than to see him wear the silver eagle as 
our commander. 

Fancy our surprise when one day an officer, Lieut. - 
Col. W. H. P. Steere, from the Second Rhode Island 
Regiment, made his appearance in camp commissioned as 
colonel of this regiment. He was recieved by officers and 
men with much displeasure. The climax was reached 
when, at dress parade that evening, he took his place in 
front of the regiment as its commander, while our beloved 
Lieutenant-Colonel Tew retired to his subordinate position 
in the line. To see him who, since Colonel Rodman re- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 125 

linquished command had held his position in front of the 
regiment, give way now to a perfect stranger, a man whom 
we knew nothing of, was more than we could stand. 

Were not our own officers eligible and fitted for the com- 
mand? Had they not experienced as hard service and 
won their promotion as faithfully as any other? What 
reason could Governor Sprague give for the appointment 
of this colonel to our regiment, over the head of Tew, who 
had been lieutenant-colonel from the first formation of the 
regiment, whom he had jumped once by placing Rodman 
over him, and now again by commissioning Steere as colo- 
nel? 

There was much dissatisfaction manifested by the entire 
line at dress parade that evening. It was shown in the 
manner the men obeyed the orders of Colonel Steere dur- 
ing the execution of the manual. It was evident from 
the looks and the sly remarks of the men in line, which 
could be plainly seen and heard by the colonel. In his 
orders he called attention to the fact that the promotion 
was not of his own seeking. He had been ordered to the 
command of the regiment by his superiors, and his first 
duty like that of every other soldier was to obey orders. 
He was their colonel and as such he intended to remain. 

The parade was dismissed. The men went growling to 
their quarters. The officers likewise. One of the offi- 
cers refused to receive the orders of Colonel Steere or to 
serve under him, and was, in consequence, court-martialed 
and dismissed the service. A storm was brewing in camp. 
It needed but one more incentive to create an eruption. 
Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was soon furnished. 

A large lot of boxes arrived from home for the regiment. 
It had been the custom of our officers to inspect these boxes 
and to remove the greater part of the liquor that was sure to 
be found in them. The boxes were not inspected this time. 



126 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and in consequence the boys obtained a large supply of 
liquor. 

In their present state of mind this fact foreboded much 
trouble. The men — most of them — indulged freely, and 
the effects were soon manifest. Company E seemed to 
have obtained the largest supply, and was the noisiest of 
the whole regiment. Captain Buffum was officer of the 
day. He did his best to keep the men quiet. He would 
go into one company's street and quiet the men. By this 
time another company would be singing and howling. He 
entered Company E's street and ordered them to keep 
quiet, or he would put the whole company under arrest. 
He was received with jeers, groans, hisses, sticks of wood, 
stones, old shoes, — anything they could lay hands on. 
They made it warm for him, and he beat a hasty retreat 
to the guard-house. Mustering his guard, he advanced 
again to arrest the company. They charged upon him 
and his guard and drove them back in a hurry. 

Colonel Steere now came down to quiet them, but this 
added fuel to the fire. They pitched into him, but he held his 
ground. A billet of wood scraped acquaintance with the 
side of his head, but the old man held to them and suc- 
ceeded, after arresting several of the worst of them, in 
quieting the company down, and after awhile the camp 
was still for the night, but the trouble was not over by any 
means. 

The next morning marching orders were received. The 
regiment struck tents and packed up. The drum beat to 
fall in and form a line. The men refused to budge. The 
other regiments in the brigade had been paid off, while ours 
had not. The reason of this discrimination was because 
the colonel feared if the men received their pay while in 
such a condition, the}^ w^ould indulge more freely, and make 
matters a great deal worse for all concerned, and it was de- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 27 

cided not to pay the regiment until they were aboard the 
transport, or when they next encamped. 

This might have been a good reason, but it had the effect of 
throwing the regiment into a state of mutiny. They refused 
to obey orders or to leave camp. The Eighth Connecticut 
Regiment was ordered to surround the camp as guard. 
For some reason they did not come. It was well they did 
not. Orders were sent for the Ninth New York. They 
formed line in their camp, were ordered to march, but re- 
fused to obey the order, and were sent back to their quarters. 

But after awhile better counsels prevailed, and our regi- 
ment fell into line, and with the rest of the brigade marched 
down to the wharf and embarked on the steamer Wes^ 
Point. She was a worthless old craft, but managed to carry 
them safely to Acquia Creek, where they landed August 
4th, and went aboard the cars for Falmouth, where they 
encamped. 

Most of the officers now sent in their resignations to Gen- 
eral Burnside, determined that they would no longer serve 
under Steere as their colonel. Burnside delayed action 
upon the matter, hoping that the prejudice against Colonel 
Steere would wear away, but at last found it necessary to 
consult with Governor Sprague, and he was sent for. 

Meanwhile, the day after our encampment was estab- 
lished at Falmouth, the regiment was detailed for picket 
duty and marched across the river, through the city of 
Fredericksburg, and established a line covering the ap- 
proaches to the city from the west and south. They re- 
mained on duty one week, and were relieved by the Ninth 
New York. 

Governor Sprague had now arrived and was in con- 
sultation with General Burnside at his headquarters, and 
according to reports, the discussion waxed rather warm. 
It resulted, however, in Burnside's decision to accept the 



128 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

resignations of the officers, and accordingly their papers 
were made out and sent to them. 

The officers were not long in packing up, and the 
different companies fell in line in their company street to 
Did them good-bye. With a few words of good advice and 
a hearty shake of the hand they left us, amid the cheers 
and good wishes of the regiment. 

They were fourteen in number, as nearly as we have 
record, as follows : 

Lieutenant-Colonel Tew, Quartermaster Smith, Cap- 
tains Kenyon, Lapham, Wood, Hopkins, Simons, and 
Kent, and Lieutenants Baker, Drown, Starkweather, 
Monroe, Smith, and one other, whom I have forgotten. 

Shortly after they had left, Governor Sprague made his 
appearance in camp and passed through and went over 
to the headquarters of Colonel Steere. He was saluted 
by the regiment with groans, jeers, and hootings, supple- 
mented by a fusilade of old pieces of brown-bread, potatoes, 
and other missiles, but not heeding them, he passed on, 
and arriving at Colonel Steere's tent, held with him a con- 
sultation on the situation of affairs. 

After he had left camp the regiment was called in line, 
formed hollow square, and was addressed by Colonel 
Steere in substance as follows : That he hoped, now 
that the officers had gone, the regiment would settle down 
to its accustomed good behavior; that he would use 
every effort in their behalf, but wanted they should under- 
stand first and last that he was their colonel ; that the 
vacancies left by these officers would be filled, as far as 
possible, from the most deserving in the ranks, and he 
hoped, as their colonel, his experience with them would 
be a source of lasting pleasure to him during his life. 

The regiment was then dismissed, and the non-com- 
missioned officers ordered to report to the colonel's quar- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 29 

ters. After a short speech to them, during which he told 
them that he should hold them responsible for the conduct 
of the men, they were also sent back to their company 
quarters, and the discipline and routine of duty progressed 
without further interruption. 

In his subsequent course of action, and by the kindness 
and the fatherly care he manifested towards us, the old 
colonel at last won the respect and esteem of the whole 
regiment, and they were willing to do his least bidding, 
and ready to follow him anywhere in the face of death he 
might lead them. Never did such a change of heart 
toward any one man occur as was experienced in time by 
that regiment, and there is not a man living to-day of 
the veterans of that old rough and ready Fourth Rhode 
Island but loves to honor the name and revere the memory 
of our faithful old colonel, William H. P. Steere. 

The whole rebel army at this time was passing up the 
Valley toward Pennsylvania, with the intention of invasion 
before McClellan's army could reach there. One night 
shortly after the regimental " unpleasantness " had passed 
away, and while they were on picket outside of Fredericks- 
burg, three officers of Burnside's staff advanced to the 
picket line, with the information that Pope's forces had pre- 
vailed against the rebels, and were driving them toward 
Richmond. We were advised to keep a sharp lookout to 
the front, as it was expected they would come this way. 

At daylight heavy firing was heard, but it appeared to 
be receding in the direction of Washington, instead of com- 
ing nearer to us. About lo o'clock a cloud of dust was 
seen rising on our right front, and we supposed it was the 
advance of the rebel forces. Arrangements were at once 
made to close in upon the city, when it was discovered that 
the approaching cavalry were of our own army, who 



130 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

brought us tidings that Pope had been sadly defeated, and 
was now falling back toward Washington. 

About noon we were relieved by the Ninth New York, 
and returned to camp. Our band met us at the edge of 
the city and escorted us back to camp. 

On account of the threatening attitude of Lee's army, 
and the demoralized condition of Pope's forces, orders 
were sent from Washington to Burnside to advance his 
whole force by the way of Acquia Creek and Washington, 
and that as speedily as possible. The immediate evacua- 
tion of Fredericksburg was ordered, and that we might 
move more quickly, the surplus stores that could not be 
easily transported were to be destroyed, to keep them from 
falling into the hands of the enemy. 

Tents were struck and the men warned to be in readi- 
ness to move at once. Vast piles of rations and other 
stores, together with the government buildings, were set on 
fire and consumed. The two large bridges crossing the 
river w^ere also destroyed, and clouds of black smoke 
rolled up into the heavens, as the flames darted to and 
fro among the dry buildings, and their valuable contents. 

And now^ an incident happened that served to put the 
troops in very good humor for the long journey that w^as 
before them. There were many sutlers scattered among 
the camps \vho had taken advantage of the situation, and 
charged the soldiers the most exorbitant prices for every- 
thing they sold them. Orders had been given every one 
of them to leave the department, but avarice had overcome 
caution, and they staid yet a while longer, determined to 
get every cent of the men's money that they could. At 
last, finding that no transportation had been provided for 
them, and alarmed for the safety of their goods and per- 
sonal effects, in the sudden change of afl'airs that were now- 
taking place, they began hurriedly to pack away their 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I3I 

goods, but found much difficulty in doing so, as the men 
began to crowd around their wagons and tents, demanding 
more goods for their money. 

This continued for a while. The sutler down at the sta- 
tion resisted the demands of some of our regiment and shut 
down his store, when immediately the boys charged home 
upon the shanty, tipped it over, and such a rush as then 
ensued. Piles of canned preserves, oranges, lemons, 
cookies, pies, cakes, beer, tobacco, etc., etc., went down 
with a crash to the ground, while the poor sutler struggled 
to get clear with his life, and the men loaded themselves 
with whatever they could get hold of, and with hands and 
pockets full, made for their quarters. 

Other sutlers shared the same fate from other regiments. 
Only one of the lot escaped. He was the sutler of the 
Ninth New York, an old member of that regiment, who 
had lost his leg: at Roanoke. His comrades had set him 
up in business, and many of our men went over to pro- 
tect him from the general raid, and woe be to the one 
who would do harm to this old veteran. He furnished 
the men with two barrels of cider and other things, for 
their kindness and friendship, and went safely away with 
his stock. 

That morning the regiment left Falmouth and took the 
road for Acquia Creek, where they arrived next morning. 
Here we will leave them waiting for transportation to 
Washington, and go back for a while to record our per- 
sonal experience at Newport News. 

It will be remembered that the writer, together with 
Comrade Vizard, of Company K, was detached from duty 
with the regiment at Newport News to serve as bakers 
at the post bakery. 

When the regiment left for Acquia Creek on the 3d of 
August, we two were left behind, subject only to the orders 



132 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

of the post commander. McClellan's army was passing 
this point, both by road and river, and at last they had 
all gone by, the fleet of gunboats bringing up the rear, 
and Newport News became quiet and lonesome, nothing 
being left there but the sick and wounded, and the small 
garrison of the post. To provide bread for these required 
but little labor or time. In fact, time hung heavy on our 
hands, and we soon became home-sick to be again with 
our regiment. 

Wednesday, August 13th, the old steamer Wcsi Point, 
that had carried our regiment to Acquia Creek, returned 
here, and taking on board the sick and others of our corps, 
started back. When near Acquia Creek she came in collis- 
ion with another steamer bound down the bay, and sank in 
ten minutes afterwards. Seventy-three of her passengers 
were lost. 

Although boats were put out, and everything done that 
could be done to save them, yet many a poor fellow found 
a watery grave with the wreck of that ill-fated and totally 
worthless old hulk. As she went down amid the whirl of 
waters, one poor fellow was heard to cry, " Oh, save me, 
save me, I'm a corporal," which, after the disaster had 
passed, caused much merriment among the survivors. He 
probably thought that the " stripes" entitled him to higher 
consideration than his luckless comrades in the ranks. 

And now the time drew near when Jim and I, the last 
representatives of the Fourth Regiment at Newport News, 
were to leave this post for duty at the front. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I33 

August, 1862. 



CHAPTER IX. 



WASHINGTON TO ANTIETAM. 

MONDAY, August i8th, Comrade Vizard and 
myself received orders to report to our regiment 
for duty, there being no further work for us here. 
Armed with a "general pass" from the post commander, 
which required all guards and patrol to pass us from one 
point to another, and all provost marshals to provide us 
transportation and subsistence during our journey, and 
which further stated that the regiment was supposed to be 
at or near Fredericksburg, Va., we drew our extra pay, 
packed up, and started. 

We at once took transportation for Fort Monroe, but on 
our arrival there, found there were no vessels going up the 
Chesapeake just at present. Food and a place to sleep 
we must have, and we proceeded to the provost marshal's 
office and handed him our pass. 

He returned it to us with an order on the Medical Direc- 
tor of the Mill Creek Hospital, at the large hospital camp 
near Hampton, and about one and a half miles from the 
fort. And so we shouldered our traps and trudged thither, 
where we soon found quarters in one of the convalescent 
wards, and were told to get our rations at the cook-house 
attached to this camp. 



134 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The general hospital for the Army of the Potomac was 
located here, and covered several acres of ground. All of 
the wards were full, being recently recruited from McClel- 
lan's late campaign on the Peninsula. 

In the midst of the camp and extending the whole length 
of the grounds, was an open parade-ground, at one end of 
which was located two long buildings used as the cook- 
houses. Here were eight large, iron set kettles, each cap- 
able of holding thirty or forty gallons. At each ketde dur- 
ing the day, would be seen several cooks engaged in pre- 
paring our humble meals. 

Our food was served up three times a day, and consisted 
of soup, made of fresh beef, boiled, with a little salt to sea- 
son it^ It was not unlike the "shadow soup" so often 
served up in hospitals, and which the boys used to say was 
made in the following manner : A chicken was provided, 
and hung up in the sun where its shadow would strike into 
the kettle. A quantity of water was put into the kettle and 
the shadow boiled therein. Salt, pepper, and other spice 
were added to make it palatable, and it was then served out 
to those poor sick men who were so weak as not to be able 
to know the difference, or to care if they did. 

There were so many convalescents here that it took some 
time to feed them. A line was formed at meal time, and 
each in single file marched up to the delivery office, and 
presenting his plate received a piece of boiled beef, — 
always boiled, — and a thick slice of bread. Passing along 
to the next window, his cup was filled with a black decoc- 
tion that the cooks called coffee. He was then at liberty 
to go away and enjoy his meal in peace. 

As every one wanted to be first to get their meals, they 
would commence gathering on the parade two or three hours 
before meal time, the line extending from the cook-house 
down the parade, across and up the other side, increasing 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 35 

in length as each recruit arrived, until, when the call was 
sounded, it reached the length of half a mile, and those on 
the left of the line would be likely to get their dinner about 
the middle of the afternoon. 

Myself and Comrade Vizard being obliged to wait at this 
place until transportation could be furnished to our regi- 
ment, often varied the bill of fare by catching crabs down 
on the shore; and cooking them, made out quite a good 
meal. 

Each day we made it a point to go down to the fort and 
provost marshal's office to see if there was any conveyance 
or means of reaching the regiment. But each day we re- 
ceived about the same answer : "No, you will have to 
stay where you are until next week, when there will prob- 
ably be a transport going up." 

One day while down at the fort, we observed a schooner 
loading with horses, and found she was ordered to Acquia 
Creek. After a short conversation with her captain, he 
agreed to take us to the creek if we would work our pas- 
sage ; and he would wait for us to go after our traps and 
return. 

We joyfully accepted the proposition, willing to do any- 
thing, almost, to get away from this place, and back to our 
regiment. So hurrying back to camp, we packed up, 
shouldered our knapsacks, and were speedily on our way 
to the fort again, highly elated at our good fortune, and 
reached the dock just in time to see the schooner under 
full sail, half a mile away, heading up the Chesapeake. 
We stood and cursed that captain till it was a wonder his 
vessel did not sink from under him, and then we mean- 
dered back to the old hospital once more. 

After getting back, I sat down and wrote a long letter to 
Captain Buffum, of my company, fearing our prolonged 
absence might be construed as desertion, and telling him 



136 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

how we were situated ; and that letter, no doubt, saved us 
much future trouble. 

A day or two after this, observing a line of men drawn 
up in front of the hospital headquarters, we came to the 
conclusion that they were to be sent back to their regi- 
ments, and determined to go with them. So packing up 
again, we went out and took our place in the line with 
them. As the officer called the names, each one stepped 
to the front, thus, of course, leaving us two standing alone. 
The officer stepped up to us with " What are you men do- 
ing here? " 

" We want to go to our regiment." 
" What regiment do you belong to? " 
" The Fourth Rhode Island. " 
" How^ came you here?" 

We showed him our pass, and explained the matter, when 
he told us he had nothing to do wdth our command, and sent 
us back to our quarters ; and the men moved off, while we 
returned to our ward much disappointed. 

The next day, September 2d, we observed another line 
of men forming at the same place, and profiting by our ex- 
perience of yesterday, decided to make a flank movement, 
so w^e packed up ready to start, and waited till they had got 
outside the grounds and then caught up with them, and on 
the way down to the fort fell in on the rear of the line, 
marched down to the wdiarf and aboard the steamer South 
America without being detected by the officer in charge. 

The vessel cast oft, and steamed away from the wharf. 
We knew not whither she was bound, or where she would 
land us, neither did we care, so long as she took us away 
from that hospital camp. There were 150 men on the officer's 
list, and 150 rations drawn for them. We knew there w^ere 
no rations drawn for us two, so when the line w^as called to 
" fall in for rations," w^e managed to get near the head and 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I37 

received one ration of meat, bread, and coffee each. What 
the two at the left of the line did for their rations we did 
not care to inquire. 

That night we passed Acquia Creek without stopping, 
and the next morning landed at Alexandria. Soon after 
getting ashore we slipped the rest of the line, and went down 
to the rear of an old brick warehouse near the wharves, 
where we made our headquarters. We then sauntered out 
on the street, and chanced to meet a man who told us that 
he was captain of a schooner lying out in the river, and 
had brought a load of boxes for our regiment. 

He also informed us that the regiment was about leaving 
Acquia Creek for this place, and after kindly assisting us 
to find the " Soldiers' Rest," where we could get our food, 
he left us to watch for the coming of the regiment up the 
river. We spread our blankets under the lee of the old 
warehouse and slept soundly till morning. 

The next morning we started early to see if the regiment 
had landed during: the nigfht, and in the course of our wan- 
derings came across Battery B, of Rhode Island. We re- 
ceived quite a welcome hand-shake from many of our old 
acquaintances in that battery, and upon learning our situa- 
tion, two of them offered to look around with us, to see if 
we could find the regiment encamped. But after traveling 
about twelve miles, in all, without success, we returned to 
our headquarters by the wharf. 

The next morning we again met our Rhode Island friend 
who told us that the regiment was coming up the river on 
one of the many transports that were passing now and then. 
So we kept watch at the end of the pier, and hailed every 
steamer that passed, but in vain, until the steamer State 
of Maine came plowing along, loaded with troops, and as 
she got just opposite us, we hailed, " What regiment is 
that?" "Fourth Rhode Island," came the answerback, and 



138 - FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

we started on the run up the wharf and down through the 
streets, passing guards, patrol, and ever3^thing else, till we 
reached the upper end of the town, expecting she was 
going to land somewhere, but she kept on her way up the 
river, towards Washington, and we must perforce bide 
our time and la}^ over another night. 

Sunday morning, bright and early, we were up, and took 
the boat for Washington. But on our arrival there could 
find nothing of the regiment, or any one who had seen them 
land. Thinking we might have been fooled by some other 
regiment when we hailed them, we concluded to go to the 
"Soldiers' Rest " for the present, and apply to the quarter- 
master there for information, as we supposed they might 
have taken the cars on the Baltimore road. 

He told us that our regiment was at Edwards' Ferry, on 
the Potomac. About tired out with our fruitless endeavors 
to find them, and thoroughly disgusted with hospitals, pro- 
vost marshals, etc., we took up our quarters in the railroad 
station near by, and got our meals in the " Rest. " 

Monday morning, September 8th, I started for the provost 
marshal's office, to get a pass to Edwards' Ferry and follow 
on. While waiting my turn in the crowd around the office, 
I fortunately met a sergeant of our regiment. I was never 
more glad to see a familiar face in my life. 

He told me the regiment was on its way up through 
Maryland, and had left their knapsacks, with a guard over 
them, at a place out on Seventh Street, called Meridian 
Hill. 

I immediately went back to the depot and got Jim, and 
we footed it up to their camp on Meridian Hill. The offi- 
cer left in charge told us there was no chance to catch up 
with the regiment now, and he expected they would be 
back after their knapsacks in two or three days, and it 
would be better for us to wait for them. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 139 

Upon the strength of this information we concluded to 
stay, looking for them every day, not having the least idea 
of the important movement of our armies toward Pennsyl- 
vania ; and that is how we came to miss the battle of Antie- 
tam and the march through Maryland, for the particulars 
of both of which I am obliged to depend upon m}-^ com- 
rades for information. 

Embarking on the steamer State of Maine, the regi- 
ment arrived at Washington Saturday, September 6th, and 
landing, marched through the city, out Seventh Street, to 
a place called Meridian Hill, and there encamped. While 
on their way through the city they had the pleasure of 
meeting and shaking hands with our old colonel, J. I. 
McCarty, who was located in Washington. On arriving 
at camp, rations were immediately cooked up and prepara- 
tions made to continue the march. 

Lee's army was at this time in Maryland and threaten- 
ing Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Portions 
of McClellan's forces were upon either side of the river in 
the vicinity of Washington, and were hurrying forward to 
meet Lee's forces, and, if possible, prevent him from re- 
crossing the Potomac. 

Burnside's corps being well in hand, was ordered for- 
ward with all possible speed in the direction of Frederick, 
Md., which the enemy now occupied in force. In order 
that the men might be able to move quickly, our regiment 
was ordered to leave their tents and knapsacks in camp 
at Meridian Hill under a guard, and with blankets rolled 
and three days' rations, started out on the Seventh Street 
road towards Leesboro, with the rest of the Ninth Corps. 

On the 9th they arrived at Brookville, and on the nth at 
Newmarket. The weather was hot and the marching 
dusty. No rebels had been encountered up to this time, but 
began to appear as they neared Frederick City, and on the 



140 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

1 2th were struck in force. The skirmish line opened a 
rapid fire and our regiment went into line of battle on the 
edge of a field of standing corn. "Forward," was the 
word, and advancing through the corn, they suddenly 
found their way obstructed by a high, tight board fence, in 
front of some hospital buildings. An opening through the 
fence was soon found and they made their way inside. 

In the yard in front of the buildings was found a large 
number of sick and wounded rebels, and the buildings 
were also fully occupied by these poor men, left behind b}"- 
the retreating rebel army, and under the care of rebel sur- 
geons and numerous Sisters of Charity. 

A halt was then made, and the regiment bivouacked in 
the hospital yard for the night. At 9 o'clock the next 
morning, the line started on again, marching through the 
city of Frederick, and were received by the inhabitants 
with every demonstration of joy. Just before reaching Mid- 
dletown, the rebel rear guard was struck and stoutly resisted 
our advance, but after a spirited contest, they were forced 
to retire, and the regiment advancing to the town, encamped 
for the nicrht. 

The next morning, September 14th, they started on 
again. The whole Army of the Potomac was now well in 
hand, and deployed in line of battle for assault on the rebel 
lines, who heavily disputed the passage of the South Mount- 
ain Range. The battle was opened early in the morning 
by Benjamin's batter}^ of the Ninth Corps, supported by 
Cox's division, on the old Sharpsburg road. 

The division of General Wilcox advanced in support of 
General Cox, and took position on his right. 

The battle was now raging the length of the line. The 
rebel arm}^ being speedily reenforced by its outlying de- 
tachments, held to its naturally strong line of defenses with 
the utmost tenacity, but were steadily forced to give way. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I4I 

Step by step, toward the summit of the mountain, followed 
by our brave boys of the Ninth Corps, until, at just before 
sunset, the last grand charge was made that sent the enemy 
flying over the crest and down the other side of the mount- 
ain, and the day was ours. 

Our regiment was in support of the Sixth Massachu- 
setts Battery nearly all day, and late in the afternoon was 
called in line to take the place of the Thirty-sixth Massa- 
chusetts Regiment which broke to the rear in some dis- 
order. At 8 o'clock the firing had ceased, and the rebel 
army withdrew that night to a position across Antietam 
Creek, covering the village of Sharpsburg. 

The regiment lay in line of battle all night, and early in 
the morning received orders to cook coffee and be ready to 
move in half an hour. Company B was ordered forward 
a short distance to reconnoiter in our front, but finding 
nothing but the dead and wounded, who lay thickly scat- 
tered among the brush and trees, they returned to the regi- 
ment, and shortly after, the whole line advanced down the 
mountain side. 

The dead and wounded lay here and there on each side 
of the road, torn to pieces and mangled in all shapes, and 
left by the retreating rebels in their hasty flight. The loss 
on our side in this fight was 2,325, including General Reno 
of our corps, who was killed. 

Our brigade was now reenforced by the arrival of the 
Sixteenth Connecticut, fresh from the land of wooden nut- 
megs, and who had never, as yet, been under fire. They 
were under command of Colonel Dutton, an officer of the 
regular army. 

On the night of the i6th. General Hooker on the right, 
crossed the creek in his front, to pounce upon the enemy's 
left flank, and was supported by Sumner and Mansfield ; 
next in line lay Porter and Sykes, holding the centre ; 



142 FORTY-SIX MONTHS \NITH THE 

Burnside occupied the left, along the line of Antietam Creek, 
McClellan's plan of attack being to close in on both flanks 
of the enemy, doubling him up, force his communications 
with the Potomac on his right, and prevent his escape. 

The distribution of the Ninth Corps was as follows : " On 
the crest of the hill immediately in front of the bridge span- 
ning Antietam Creek, was Benjamin's battery of six 
twenty-poundei's, the remaining batteries in rear of the 
crest under partial cover. In the rear of Benjamin's bat- 
tery, on the extreme right, joining on to General Sykes' di- 
vision, was General Cook's brigade, with General Stur- 
gis' division in his rear. On the left, and in rear of Ben- 
jamin's battery, was General Rodman's division, with 
Colonel Scammon's brigade in support. General Wilcox's 
division was held in reserve ; General Burnside having 
at his disposal 13,819 men." * 

General Fairchild's brigade occupied the extreme left 
of our division, as also the left of the whole line. Har- 
land's brigade came next on the right, consisting of the 
Eighth, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Connecticut, and Fourth 
Rhode Island regiments, in order from right to left. 

For an authentic record of the part taken by our regi- 
ment in this great battle, the work it accomplished, and the 
losses it sustained, I herewith present a copy of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Curtis' report to the governor of Rhode Island : 

HEADqUARTERS FoURTH ReGIMENT, RhODE IsLAND VOLUNTEERS, \ 

Mouth Antietam Creek, September 22d, 1S62. i 

To His Excellency, William Sfrague, 

Governor of the Stale of Rhode Isla?td. 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part takers 
by this regiment in the battle of Sharpsburg on the 17th inst : 

On the afternoon of the i6th, Harland's brigade, consisting of the Eighth, 
Eleventh, Sixteenth Connecticut, and Fourth Rhode Island, left the 

* From Woodbury's Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I43 

bivouac it had occupied on the left of the Sharpsburg road, and proceeded 
in a southwesterly direction, following the general course of Antietam 
Creek for three or four miles, and took up a position behind a range of 
hills, covering a stone bridge that crossed the creek. The regiment lay 
upon its arms all night, having its front covered by its own pickets. 

The Fourth had the left of the brigade line, and upon its left \a.y Fair- 
child's brigade of Rodman's division. About an hour after light, on the 
morning of the 17th, the enemy's pickets commenced firing upon those 
of the regiments on our left, and shortly after they began shelling the 
whole division line, their range being very accurate. 

As soon as the firing commenced the ranks were dressed and the men 
directed to lie down in their places; the three left companies being in a 
more exposed position, were brought in rear of the rest of the battalion. 

Orders were received from Colonel Harland to follow the other brigade 
to the left, but before that brigade could move the enemy opened another 
battery on our right, enfilading our position with a fire of round shot, and 
completely commanding a little rise of ground on our left, which we 
should have been obliged to cross to reach the ground occupied by the 
other brigade. 

This fact was reported to Colonel Harland by an officer, who returned 
with orders to move to the left and rear through the same woods, in a di- 
rection to be indicated by Lieutenant Ives, of General Rodman's staff, who 
came back with him. The order was duly executed, the regiment moving 
by the left flank to the rear through a wooded gully, but partially concealed 
from the enemy, who continued their heavy fire of shell and solid shot. 
The regiment was then drawm up in a farm lane, well protected by a hill. 

As the brigade filed through the wooded gully, a battery placed in rear 
of our original position commenced replying to the enemy, too late, how- 
ever, to cover our retrograde movement, which was almost completed. Our 
loss, in this affair, was two killed and eight wounded, among the latter our 
color bearer and two color corporals. 

After about an hour, the brigade advanced in line of battle to the top of 
the hill in front, making a right half wheel, and after crossing several fields 
finally took a position on top of the hill, at the foot of which ran the An- 
tietam Creek, and on the opposite of which was the enemy. The action 
on our right was now very sharp, both the artillery and infantry being en- 
gaged. Our division constituted the extreme left of the line. 

After a halt of some duration, the division moved by the left flank to 
the creek and crossed at a ford under the fire of the enemy's skirmishers, 
who were sheltered behind a stone wall. The Fourth, after crossing the 
ford, filed to the left, (the other brigade going to the right, and the rest of 
Harland's brigade not having crossed), and after throwing out Company 
H as skirmishers to cover the front, and Company K to the left, advancing 
in line towards the stone wall, the enemy retiring, but shortly after opening 



144 



FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 



a fire of musketry on our left, which was soon silenced by the fire of our 
battery covering the ford. 

The enemy then commenced a fire of grape and shell upon us, and the 
Sixteenth Connecticut, which had just crossed the ford and was taking a 
position to support our left, retired, passing along our rear. After it had 
passed, this regiment, by Colonel Harland's orders, took a more sheltered 
position at right angles with our original one. From here, we moved to 
the right, in the direction taken by Colonel Fairchild's brigade, through 
a wooded ravine, through which ran the creek. 

The steepness of the hillside, the thickness of the wood, and the accu- 
rate range of the enemy's batteries, made the passage through this defile a 
matter of considerable difficulty. Upon clearing the woods, we lay waiting 
for orders for a short time under a hillside which the enemy was shelling, 
the rest of the brigade having passed on while we were in the woods. 

From here the regiment was ordered by Colonel Harland's aide to cross 
thehillbehind which it was lying (a ploughed field), and to form in line in 
a corn field, and to move to the support of the Sixteenth Connecticut Regi- 
ment, which lay in a deep valley between two hills planted with corn. 
The regiment moved forward by the right flank in fine order, although 
subjected to the fire of rebel batteries, of which it was in full view. 

Descending into the valley to its support, it found the Sixteenth Con- 
necticut giving way, and crowding upon its right, compelling it to move 
to the left. It was now subjected to a sharp musket fire from the front, 
but as the enemy showed the National flag (the corn concealing their uni- 
form), and as our troops had been seen in advance on our right, the order 
was given to cease firing, and a volunteer officer to go forward to ascertain 
who was in our front was called for. 

Lieuts. Geo. W. Curtis and Geo. H. Watts immediately stepped forward, 
and placing themselves one on each side of the color-bearer. Corporal 
Tanner, of Company G, carried the flag up the hill within twenty feet of 
the rebels, when the enemy fired, killing the corporal. Lieutenant Curtis 
seized the colors and returned, followed by Lieutenant Watts. The order 
to commence firing was then given, and Colonel Steere sent me to the 
Sixteenth Connecticut to see if they would support us in a charge up 
the hill. 

I returned to tell the colonel that we must depend upon ourselves. He 
then sent to the rear for support. Before they could arrive the enemy out- 
flanked us with a brigade of infantry, which descended the hill in three 
lines on our left, each one firing over the other in front, and thus enfilad- 
ing us. 

The regiment on our right now broke, a portion of them crowding on 
.our line. Colonel Steere ordered the regiment to move out of the gully 
by the right flank, and I left him. to carry the order to the left wing, of 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 



145 



which I had charge, the colonel taking the right (the major being sick 
and no adjutant, there beingonlj two field officers to handle the regiment). 

The regiment commenced the movement in an orderly manner, but 
under the difficulty of keeping closed up in a corn field, the misconception 
of the order on the left, and the tremendous fire of musketry, shell, and 
grape, the regiment broke. ... All the food the men had during the 
day was what very small quantities of salt pork and hard bread they were 
able to find in an abandoned camp during the short rest after the shelling 
out in the morning. 

The entire loss during the day was twenty -one enlisted men killed, five 
officers and seventy-two enlisted men wounded, and two missing. Colonel 
Steere commends in the highest terms the conduct of the regiment on 
that day. He himself was severely wounded in the left thigh after I left 
him to repeat on the left the order to leave the corn field. 

The men fought well, as is proven by the fact that they were engaged 
constantly with the enemy for nine or ten hours. . . . That they 
finally broke, under such a severe fire and the pressure of a broken regi- 
ment, is not surprising, although much to be regretted. ... Of the 
present state of the regiment I have only the most favorable report to 
give 

I have the honor to be, Sir, 

Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed), JOSEPH B. CURTIS, 

Lieut. -Col. Covi'g 4th R. I. Vols. 

After the repulse in the corn field and the break of the 
regiment, Company B and others of the other companies 
rallied in rear of the Fifth United States Battery, which now 
opened on the advancing rebel lines, and ploughed them 
with grape and canister, effectually staying their advance. 

Here they formed line of battle with the Fifty-first New 
York. Captain Buffum, of our company, was ordered by 
Captain Gardner, of the staff, to Ibrward a portion of the 
Sixteenth Connecticut with our company into the field, but 
the Sixteenth had seen enough for one day, and would not 
budge an inch. Captain Buftum then jumped the fence in 
front, and advanced with our company and the Fifty-first 
New York. Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis taking the rifle and 



1^6 P'ORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

equipments of a dead soldier, also advanced with them and 
fought in the ranks the remainder of the day. 

The company remained here until 9 o'clock in the even- 
ing, and then fell back across the bridge and found the 
rest of the regiment had bivouacked for the night. 

In his report as we have copied it, we think our lieuten- 
ant-colonel has not done exact justice to our experience 
and portion of this day's work. It is the opinion of the rank 
and file, that under the orders of Colonel Harland, this reg- 
iment was moVed around from one place to another with- 
•out knowing sometimes, where its position in line was to 
be, or its relative position to the rest of the brigade. 

On our advance into thatblood}^ corn field no one seemed 
to know the position of the rebel forces, whether in our 
front, flank, or rear. The Sixteenth Connecticut, as we 
were advancing to support them, broke, and came crowding 
in a confused mob upon our right, and confusion reigned 
preeminent for aw^hile. The enemy now poured in a steady 
fire of musketry, and breasting this storm of lead as best we 
could, we returned their fire, when suddenly the order was 
given, "Cease firing, you are firing upon your owm men." 

We looked, and there above us on the hill were the Stars 
and Stripes, the top of which we could just see over the 
corn. The firing upon our part ceased, and, as stated, it 
was but a ruse of the enemy to draw us into a trap, and 
immediately upon the return of our colors, minus the color- 
bearer, fire was again opened. 

Standing in this corn field alone and unsupported, and 
striving their best to keep pegging away at the rebel force 
in our front, yet not knowing how many or in what posi- 
tion they were, it was thought best by Colonel Steere to 
charge the regiment up the hill, that we might see, if possi- 
ble, where we stood. While waidng for the Sixteenth 
Connecticut to advance and support us in this charge, the 
rebels, seeing our predicament, determined to wipe us out. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I47 

Massing a heavy brigade upon our left, they came down 
the hill on our flank, pouring in a sweeping fire as they 
advanced, and our men fell like sheep at the slaughter. 
To stand before this murderous fire was impossible, and 
we were ordered to move by the right flank. 

The regiment on the right of us now broke and came 
crowding us as the Sixteenth had done before them. With 
this " confusion worse confounded " of a retreating regi- 
ment entangling our own on the right, — with a ceaseless 
storm of shot, shell, grape, and minie-balls mowing our 
ranks from front and flank, — amidst a confused babel of 
orders, is it a wonder that the regiment, like the two pre- 
ceding it, also broke? 

Neither, in the face of past experience, is it a wonder 
that, though disorganized for the time being, they rallied, 
and fought the day out in the ranks of the Fifty-frst New 
York and other regiments. 

Of the part of this struggle borne by the writer's com- 
pany, B, the number of killed and wounded tells its own 
story. Of the twenty-one men killed in this regiment, 
eight belonged to Company B, — more than one-third of 
the whole number killed. Seven of the company were 
wounded, two of whom died of their wounds shortly after. 

Darkness soon covered the field ; the firing from right to 
left gradually died away, and the tired armies lay down to 
rest upon the ground each had occupied at the close of 
this battle. 

In the morning the line was formed again and started for 
the bridge, supposing the engagement was to be renewed, 
but the rebel army had withdrawn, and nothing was left to 
do but care for the wounded and bury the dead. Our regi- 
ment returned to the corn field of the previous day, and there 
beheld the bodies of their dead comrades stripped of cloth- 
ing, shoes, etc., by the rebel line, and, with sad hearts, 
buried them as they lay. 



148 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

And thus the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, 
and our connection therewith, passed into history. We 
missed many cheerful faces from around the camp-fire, and 
our hearts were sore and sad for many a day after. Among 
those killed in our company was the writer's friend, school- 
mate, messmate, and comrade, Harry Roberts. Brought 
up from boys of eight or nine years of age in each other's 
society, we had gone through many scenes of life together, 
and were firm and fast friends to the last. 

Poor Harry ! The night before the battle he felt a pre- 
sentiment of his coming fate, and asked his captain if there 
were not some duty he could perform other than in the 
battle line next day. Finding none, he went bravely into 
the fight, scorning to shirk his duty, and fell, slightly 
wounded. As he tried to get to the rear another shot 
struck him, and his spirit took its flight from earth. 

He was buried with the rest of our comrades on the field, 
and there left to sleep until the Resurrection morn, and we 
trust that his noble and heroic sacrifice in giving his young 
life to his country has gained for him a crown of glory in 
that better land beyond the skies. 

That day our regiment mustered together once more, and 
went into camp near the mouth of Antietam Creek. We 
stayed there four days and then changed camp, and two 
days after established permanently at a place called Pleas- 
ant Valley, Md., but a few miles from the scene of our late 
batde. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I49 

October, 1862. 



CHAPTER X. 



PLEASANT VALLEY TO FREDERICKSBURG. 

THE warm October days now found us enjoying a 
much needed rest in camp at Pleasant Valley, Md. 
Much time was required to bring up the needed 
supplies, and therefore the days passed by till nearly the 
middle of October before there were any signs of another 
move. The whole army was taking a rest, while Lee's 
army across the river was also recruiting its strength for 
the race towards Richmond that was soon to take place. 

We were furnished with a new kind of tent, described as 
follows : a piece of light but stout canvas, about five by six 
feet square, provided on three sides with buttons and button- 
holes, was called a " shelter tent." Each man was allowed 
one such piece. By buttoning three pieces together a good 
tent was made, though not affording much more room when 
pitched on the ground than a good sized dog-house. 

The introduction of these tents for the future use of the 
arm}^ though causing much inconvenience and a great 
deal of fault-finding, relieved the army teams of their 
usual heavy load of tents belonging to each regiment, for 
now we were required to carry our own tent rolled up with 
our blanket and strapped to our knapsack. We soon 
found them very handy, as they could be pitched in a short 
time anywhere in the woods or fields we happened to stop. 



150 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The Seventh Regiment from Rhode Island now arrived 
to take its place in our corps, and camped near by us. 
Being fresh from our native state, we spent many pleasant 
hours with them, learning the news from home and talking 
over old times. 

About the middle of the month we received orders to cook 
up and keep on hand two days" rations, and be prepared to 
move at any time. Troops were changing position around 
us, and this great army that had been lying still for the 
past month now began to stir itself, in preparation for another 
mighty struggle. 

On the morning of the 26th the orders of " Pack up," 
"Strike tents," and "Fall in here, lively," resounded 
through the camps, and we were soon ready in line, and 
an hour's time found us on the road to the Potomac River. 

After a march of several miles we halted at a place called 
Berlin, on the banks of the Potomac. A pontoon bridge 
spanned the river at this place, and we soon crossed upon 
it, and encamped for the night in a piece of woods just 
north of the village of Lovettsville. 

McClellan's plan of advance seemed to be to move down 
on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, taking pos- 
session of each gap, as he advanced, and making Warren- 
ton the point of general direction, with the idea of splitting 
Lee's army in the centre, and of destroying each wing in 
detail. 

We remained in camp near Lovettsville until October 30th, 
when the whole army being safely on Virginia soil once 
more, and well in hand, the grand march was commenced. 

At this time the Ninth Corps held the right of the whole 
line in advance. The corps was composed of three divis- 
ions, commanded as follows : First, Gen. W. W. Burns ; 
Second, Gen. S. D. Sturgis ; Third, Gen. Geo. W. Getty. 
The Third Division was composed of two brigades com- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I5I 

manded as follows : First Brigade, consisting of the Ninth, 
Eighty-ninth, and One Hundred and Third New York Vol- 
unteers, the Tenth and Thirteenth New Hampshire, and 
Twenty-fifth New Jersey, was commanded by Col. Rush 
C. Hawkins, of the Ninth New York. The Second Brig- 
ade consisting of the Fourth Rhode Island, Twenty-first, 
Eighth, Eleventh, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Connecticut 
regiments, was commanded by Col. Edward Harland. 

The advance encountered the rebel pickets and drove 
them from our front, and we moved along slowly until night, 
when a halt was ordered and we pitched our little shelters 
for the night. We stopped here two days and on November 
2d struck the road again and stretching out in earnest, tallied 
seventeen miles, and went into camp near a place called 
Union, but rather a misnomer, as all its people were rebels 
of the worst kind. 

The next morning we again started on, passing through 
Union, and in the afternoon struck the rebel flank again, 
and halted, as it was not intended to bring on a battle just at 
this time. A spirited artillery duel followed, when a body 
of our cavalry charged down upon them, putting them to 
flight. We marched on a mile or two further, and halted for 
the night. 

The next day found us again on the road, and the long 
lines of men. batteries, and teams, wended their way over 
fields and hills, plodding along slowly under the fierce rays 
of the sun, until the long, weary day had passed, and even- 
ing found us at a halt near Rectortown, on the Manassas 
Gap Railroad. 

Dawn of another day roused us from sleep, and snatch- 
ing a hasty breakfast, we buckled on our traps, and again 
marched out into the road. Late in the afternoon we 
reached and passed through the village of Orleans, and en- 
camped just the other side, our feet tired and sore, our 



152 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

shoulders and back aching with the weary tramp of twenty 
miles that day. 

We were again close upon the enemy's heels, and the 
black clouds of smoke rising just ahead of us, told us where 
he had set lire to the bridges in his retreat. 

Reveille at break of day next morning ; and an hour 
after the long line of camps was broken up, and we took 
our place in line ready to move on again. A heavy snow- 
storm now broke upon us, and to render our situation more 
uncomfortable, we were obliged to wait in line until noon, 
when the headquarter bugle sounded the forward, and as 
its notes floated down the line, it seemed to say, 

" I know you are tired, but still vou must go, 
Way down to Frederics', to see the big show." 

So we Started along, and with many a hitch of our knap- 
sacks and waist belts to ease the sore places, we traveled 
about six miles, and went into camp at a place called " Car- 
ter's Run," a tributary of the Rappahannock River, in the 
township of Waterloo. 

We lay at this camp three days, waiting for rations. Our 
supply train had been detained, and therefore left us in a 
great strait for food. Hard-tack was scarce and com- 
manded a high price. The country round about was bare 
of forage, and we were put to our wits' end for subsistence. 

Those who have never suffered day after day the pangs 
of hunger know little of the value that is set upon food of 
any kind and in any condition. We were obliged to steal 
corn from the mules' feed-box and parch and eat it, to quell 
the cries of our hungry stomachs. By the time the train 
arrived, we were in nearly a starving condition, and we 
hailed with shouts of joy its advent with the much needed 
and long wished for supplies of beef, pork, and hard-tack, 
and with an appetite sharpened by our three days'absti- 
nence, feasted thereon to our hearts' content. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 53 

This camp was appropriately named '* Camp Starvation, 
near Waterloo." 

The following order was now received and read to us : 

HEADqUARTERS ArMY OF THE POTOMAC ) 

Warrentown, Va., Nov. 9th, 1862. j 
General Orders, No. i. 

In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the President of 
the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac. 

Patrotism and the exercise of my every energy in the direction of this 
army, aided by the full and hearty co-operation of its oflScers and men, will, 
I hope, under the blessing of God, ensure its success. 

Having been a sharer of the privations and a witness of the bravery of 
the old Army of the Potomac in the Maryland campaign, and fully identi- 
fied in their feelings of respect and esteem for General McClellan, enter 
tained through a long and most friendly association with him, I feel that it 
is not as a stranger that I assume this command. 

To the Ninth Corps, so long and intimately associated with me, I need 
say nothing. Our histories are identical. 

With diffidence for myself, but with a proud confidence in the unswerv- 
ing loyalty and determination of the gallant army now entrusted to my 
care, I accept its control with the steadfast assurance that the just cause 
must prevail. 

A. E. BURNSIDE, 

Major- General Commanding: 

For this promotion of our noble General Burnside we 
much rejoiced, and cheers from the Ninth Corps lifted 
in great volumes to the clouds and made those old woods 
ring. But this rejoicing was shared by the Ninth Corps 
alone. 

The rest of this great army having been, as it were, nur- 
tured and brought up under the fatherly care of General 
McClellan, loved their leader as only men can who had 
stood bravely by him in all the various trials and reverses 
he had met with, and they heard with regret that their 
beloved commander was removed. 

The Ninth Corps was now placed under the command 
of Gen. Orlando B. Wilcox. 



154 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The army of Northern Virginia, under General Lee, was 
now keeping pace with us, down the Shenandoah Valley. 
But General Burnside's plan was to get ahead of him on 
this side of the mountains, and force him to fight in the open 
field intending to strike him at, or near, Spottsylvania Court 
House. 

November 15th we were again on the road, heading 
down the Rappahannock River in the direction of Fred- 
ericksburg. 

Pontoons were ordered and promised from Washington 
to meet us at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, that we 
might, without delay, cross the river that lay directly in 
our path. 

The march was rapid, and at the end of the first five 
miles we again struck the enemy's pickets. The line was 
halted, a section or two of artillery flew past us, and went 
" in battery," throwing a few shrapnel over into the woods 
on our left, which sent the rebel pickets flying, and night 
coming on, we pitched our camp near by. 

November i6th the whole line was again put in motion, 
and fourteen miles of road was passed, when, towards even- 
ing, we struck the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at 
Rappahannock Station, and passing down the road-bed 
about two miles, filed into the woods on either hand and 
halted for the night. The bright camp-fires were soon 
blazing, the boys hovering around with cups of coffee and 
roasted hard-tack, eating their supper with a relish enjoyed 
by none so keenly as those who have borne the heat and 
burden of the day in traveling those long, weary miles. 

The music from the brigade band floated sweetly out 
upon the still night air. We laid ourselves down under the 
shelter of the tall trees, and with the musical echoes float- 
ing through our brain, gently fell into a sweet and quiet 
slumber, with naught to disturb our repose till the morn- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 155 

ing's light, and the drums and bugles called us from the 
land of dreams to begin the duties of another day. 

Tired, stiff', and sore from our late march, we slowly 
obeyed the sergeant's call to " fall in for roll-call," and then 
ate breakfast, packed up, slung our knapsacks over our 
tired and bruised shoulders, picked up our rifles, got into 
line, and oft' we went out into the road, to peg along a few 
miles further towards our destination. Traveling at a good 
speed, our stiffened limbs got limbered up, we kept chat- 
ting and joking one or another, and in conversation or 
some sort of an argument we forgot how tired we were, 
and by night went into camp twenty miles from our last 
stopping place. 

Another day's march passed away and brought us 
within eight miles of Fredericksburg. On the next day, 
November 19th, we started out early, and arrived on the 
plains below Falmouth about noon. My company being 
on " rear guard" that day, did not reach camp until after 
dark. 

But little time was spent, after our arrival that night, in 
fixing up our quarters. Uncertainty in regard to our stay, 
iand great weariness of body, prompted us to get supper as 
quickly as possible, take a smoke, and lie down for the 
night, and after " tattoo" the camps were soon silent, with 
the exception of the rumbling of the supply trains as they 
arrived. 

November 20th opened with a dull, lowering sky, betok- 
ening a stormy day, and we congratulated ourselves on our 
arrival at the end of our long march from Pleasant Valley, 
Md. As the pontoon train had not arrived as expected, it 
was plain we should have to remain here a few days at the 
least. But while we were busy fixing up our quarters to 
meet the coming rainstorm, suddenly an orderly from bri- 



156 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

gade headquarters appeared, with orders for this regiment 
to escort a body of cavalry down the river. 

Immediately we got ready to start. This was rather 
hard, after our long and weary march, and more especially 
so in the face of the coming storm. Many were the ex- 
clamations of disgust and dissatisfaction, and we were in- 
clined to think that the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment was 
picked out to do the dirty work of the whole brigade. As 
all the other regiments in the brigade were Connecticut 
regiments and the commander of the brigade himself was 
colonel of one of them, what else could be expected? 

However, a soldier's duty is to obey orders, and leaving 
our tents standing under guard, in an hour's time we were 
on our way to the river. The clouds that had hovered 
darkly over us all the morning, now poured down their 
accumulation of waters in torrents, and in a few moments 
the road was one thick sea of mud, in some places almost 
knee deep. 

Virginia mud has this peculiarity : that when wet it as- 
sumes a paste-like consistency, and sticks to the feet like 
glue ; hence, when one set his foot down into it, it would 
cling tenaciously to his shoes, so that at times while lifting 
the foot to take another step the shoe would be left behind, 
firmly imbedded in the mud, thus making travel extremely 
difficult, and sometimes quite impossible. Being also as 
slippery as grease, many a fall was occasioned, the vic- 
tims presenting a most ludicrous sight, covered with yellow 
red mud from head to foot. 

Reaching the banks of the Rappahannock where our 
pickets were stationed, we halted for awhile, and had a 
good view of the city of Fredericksburg opposite, now occu- 
pied by the rebel troops. The pickets on both sides were 
friendly, and indulged in chaffing one another, or in trad- 
ing rations for tobacco, etc. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 157 

It was Burnside's intention on arriving here to occupy 
tiie city, then containing but a small force of rebels, as a 
base of operations against the enemy. But the pontoons, 
without which we could not cross the river in force, had by 
some mismanagement of the Washington authorities, failed 
to arrive, and this great army was forced to lie idle on or 
near the banks of the river until they were forthcoming. 
This delay was the principal cause of the subsequent dis- 
astrous defeat of our arm}'. Notwithstanding the magna- 
nimity of Burnside in taking all the blame of the defeat 
upon his own shoulders, the impartial historian can but 
place it where it belonged — upon the head of the War De- 
partment at Washington. 

But to return to our march. We fell in line once more, and 
preceded by a large cavalry force, plodded along through 
the mud and rain up the river some six miles, when a halt 
was called. At the end of an hour we " about face " and 
tramped back to camp. 

What under the sun we were ordered on that march for 
was beyond our comprehension. It could not have been 
to find a ford to cross the river, for the river was swollen 
by the storm into a rushing torrent. The cavalry might 
just as well have gone alone and accomplished just as 
much. The river being an insurmountable barrier between 
them and the enemy, they stood in no danger of an attack. 
We are puzzled to this day to know why we were ordered 
on this move in the face of such a storm. 

We arrived back in camp just before dark, tired, foot- 
sore, hungry, drenched to the skin, and covered with mud, 
and instead of findmg dry tents, hot coffee, and fires to dry 
ourselves and warm our chilled bodies, which should have 
been provided by our cooks and others left behind in camp, 
our eyes were greeted with this cheering spectacle : 



158 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

There laid our camp, two-thirds of the tents levelled to 
the ground by the storm, our knapsacks soaked and im- 
bedded in the mud, not a fire in sight, no coffee, — nothing 
but the pitiless storm of wind and rain sweeping over us. 
We righted our tents as best we could, and crawled in. 
Little sleep was had through the long hours of that dread- 
ful night, and as we lay and listened to the beating of the 
storm our thoughts turned back to the nice, warm beds at 
home, and again to the privations and hardships under 
which we continually labored while in active operations 
against the enemies of our country. 

But just before morning the storm cleared away and the 
sun arose clear. We arose from our bed of mud and 
water, and set about to dry ourselves. Having no fire- 
wood on hand, we took our blankets and wet goods and 
went down into the woods near by, and built large fires, by 
the ffenial warmth of which we dried our clothes and cooked 
our breakfast. The sun's rays having dried the earth, we 
pitched camp again, and were soon ready to go forward in 
our duties. 

The condition of our army after the long march from 
Berlin, was very bad, especially in regard to clothing. Our 
regiment suffered considerably in this respect, as a great 
number of the men were without shoes or stockings. Five 
of Company B had not a shoe to their feet. Our rations 
were none of the best, and not too plentiful. Of tobacco 
we had but little or none, and for some time most of us had 
been obliged to smoke such stuff as squaw weed, chest- 
nut bark, coffee, or anything that approached the taste 
or smell of tobacco. Sutlers were charging from one to 
three dollars a pound for it ; but we had no money, not 
having been paid off in several months, and therefore had 
to be content without. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. ! . 159 

The rebel army was now fast concentrating at Fredericks- 
burg, opposite us, and was busily engaged fortifying the 
heights back of the city, preparatory for our reception 
when we should advance that way. Mounting guns of 
long range, they could easily toss their shells over into our 
camp, and we were obliged to move a short distance to 
the rear. 

On the 26th of November our corps was reviewed in due 
form and ceremony by General Sumner. The next day 
being Thanksgiving Day in New England, our thoughts 
often went back to our homes away in the North, and to 
the happy party assembled and seated around the table so 
bountifully spread with all the good things pertaining to 
our annual feast, and we wished — oh, so much — that we 
could be with them as in days past, before the strife of this 
cruel war called us away. But the stern realities of our 
soldier life stared us in the face, and we were obliged to 
be content with a Thanksgiving dinner of salt-junk and 
hard-tack, and count ourselves lucky in getting that. 

This place being made a base of supplies, the engineer 
corps was now busy at work rebuilding the railroad to 
Belle Plain and Acquia Creek, which was partially de- 
stroyed on our evacuation of Falmouth five months before. 
In a few days trains were in operation, bringing us the much 
needed supplies, and we were soon provided with every- 
thing but money and tobacco. 

And now we experienced a very severe cold spell of 
weather. For several nights it was hard to tell whether we 
should wake up in this world or the next. The Twenty- 
first Connecticut was encamped near us, and lost several 
men by freezing to death. But fortunately for us, it did not 
last but a few days. 

Saturday, December 6th, we awoke in the morning to 



l6o FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

find about four inches of snow on the ground, an unusual 
thing for these parts, and now we reahzed the uncomfort- 
able shelter from the weather these little McClellan tents 
afforded us. 

One could not sit up straight in these tents, but had to lie 
down if he went inside of them ; consequently, to keep out 
of bad weather, we were obliged to go to bed. 

Tuesday, December 9th, we passed through an inspec- 
tion of arms, equipments, and quarters, by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Curtis, now commanding the regiment. Wednes- 
day we were provided with new clothes, of which we stood 
in need, and were again inspected. 

Up to this date, our life in camp here had been very 
quiet. The regular camp duties were performed, and time 
passed on until one day the long pontoon train arrived, when 
preparations for action were begun, and everything was 
put in good order to go across the river. We received or- 
ders to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and felt that 
it would be a much harder struggle now than it would have 
been had those pontoons appeared three weeks ago. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. l6l 

December., 1862. 



CHAPTER XI. 



FREDERICKSBURG. 

ON the night of Dec. lo, 1862, 179 pieces of artil- 
lery were posted in battery on the edge of the bluffs 
opposite the doomed city of Fredericksburg in our 
front, and at daybreak on the morning of the nth the 
troops of both armies were startled from their slumber by 
the crash of these guns, as they sent their messengers of 
destruction screeching and roaring over into the rebel city ; 
and as their continual thunder heralded the light of day, so 
was it but the beginning of another terrible battle that 
should lay thousands of our brave comrades low in the 
dust. 

A thick fog had settled down over the city, nothing 
revealing its locality, save here and there a church spire 
or tall chimney. Soon after sunrise tall columns of thick 
smoke were seen lifting above the fog from the fires caused 
by the bursting shell. 

All was now activity around us. The engineers were 
hard at work, trying to lay the pontoon bridges under a 
fierce fire of Mississippi sharp-shooters. At 8 o'clock we 
were ordered in line in our camp, and stacked arms, being 
ordered to remain within call. Just before dark "fall in" 
was heard, and we broke stacks, and in light marching 
11 



l62 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

order proceeded a short distance from camp, when we 
halted, and soon after returned. All day long our battery 
men worked at their guns, and their thunder shook the 
earth and rolled away in the distance. The city was on 
fire in many places, and the heavens were darkened with 
the slowly drifting clouds of smoke. 

The sun reached the western horizon and sank in its sea 
of gold, but still the guns flashed, and still the shot and shell 
crashed down among the buildings of the city. The firing 
ceased after sunset, with the exception that now and then 
another shell or shot would roar on its way across the river, 
the fires in the town making excellent marks for our 
gunners. 

In rear of the city lay an open plain from five hundred 
to a thousand yards wide, and ending in a succession of 
low hills or terraces, rising one above another for some dis- 
tance back. These terraces were known as Marye's 
Heights. With the opportunity furnished him by our 
long and fatal stay at this place, General Lee had built a 
strong line of earth-works on these heights that completely 
commanded the plain below, giving a clean sweep of 
every inch of that plain clear to the outskirts of the city. 
The rebel line curved in towards the river, — was some 
three miles in length, his left resting on the river above 
Falmouth, his centre upon Marye's Heights back of the city, 
and his right extending to Massaponax Creek, where it was 
refused. General Longstreet's corps upon the left, occu- 
pying the works on the " Marye estate," the stone wall 
along the telegraph road, and the heights beyond. " Gen- 
eral Jackson's corps occupied the right, and General Hood's 
the centre," all well supported by the remainder of the 
rebel army. 

General Burnside's plan of battle was, in a few words, as 
follows : 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 163 

General Franklin's grand division, consisting of about 
forty-seven thousand men and ii6 pieces of artillery, was 
to cross the Rappahannock on the left flank of our army near 
the Captain Hamilton estate, pierce the enemy's line at this 
place, seize the road in the rear, and thus, by turning Lee's 
right flank, compel him to leave the strong works on 
Marye's Heights, and give battle on the plains beyond. 
Then the right and centre in support of Franklin's attack 
were to assault and pursue along the telegraph or plank 
road, according to the direction of the enemy's retreat. It 
will thus be seen that the success of the whole plan rested 
entirely upon General Franklin. 

He was furnished with troops enough to force the enemy's 
line by sheer weight of numbers. All it needed was a vig- 
orous assault, quickly and strongly supported, a foothold 
gained within the enemy's line, and held there, turning the 
works against them, which would, without doubt, cause such 
a weakening of the centre, that the assault following there 
would be but a '" walk over " for our men. 

I have been upon and over the whole ground within the 
past three years. I have talked with old rebel General 
Sibley in Fredericksburg, gaining from him much informa- 
tion in regard to the battle, and also much from other rebel 
officers and men who were there, and they each and all 
agree in this particular : that when General Meade's columns 
(the advance of General Franklin's division) had so quickly 
and successfully gained a hold inside the rebel line by their 
impetuous assault on the morning of the 13th, the rebel // 
army was whiffed. If this assault had been promptly sup- 
ported by General Franklin, the whole movement would 
have been a grand success. The great mistake of General 
Burnside lay, not in assaulting the heights in face of such 
a strong position, but in placing General Franklin in com- 
mand of the main and most important movement. This is 



164 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the opinion of nearly all who were opposed to us in that 
battle that I met on my southern trip in 1884. 

Friday, December 12th, at 10 o'clock in the morning, our 
regiment left camp, and marching down toward the river, 
halted in rear of our batteries. Soon after, word was 
passed along the line that a large quantity of tobacco had 
been found by our men at work on the bridge, sunk in 
the river. Parties from each company were sent down to 
bring up all they could get. They soon returned loaded 
with boxes and cakes of good tobacco, and each man 
forthwith supplied himself with as much as he could carry 
about him. Having been a stranger to its soothing influence 
for so long, we sat down on the hillside and smoked and 
chewed to our hearts' content. While thus engaged, a 
rebel long-ranger got a sight at us and sent one or two 
shot over into our midst. A change of base speedily 
brought us in rear of a hill near by, out of their range, 
and here we waited the rest of the day for orders. 

At about 5 o'clock that afternoon we received them, and 
started down the road toward the pontoon bridges, crossed 
the river, and up into one of the main streets of the city, 
where we halted and stacked arms. Just before dark we 
broke stacks and moved on again, out to the front, halting 
just in the outskirts of the town, in rear of our picket line. 

The picket line was established about a hundred yards 
in front of us, and we w^ere here to relieve the pickets at 10 
o'clock. Having nothing to do until then, we broke ranks, 
and the night being cold w^e hovered around what few lit- 
tle fires our men had built in rear of some brick-kilns near 

At 10 o'clock orders came to " fall m quietly as possi- 
ble," and moving forward, we crossed a ravine inclosing 
the railroad, and advanced to the picket line, relieving the 
One Hundred and Third New York Regiment (Germans), 
which immediately went to the rear. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. l6$ 

We lay on the open ground in regular skirmish order, 
with the rebel line but seventy-five to a hundred yards 
away; in fact, so near that we could plainly hear them 
talk. The night was clear and still, but severely cold. 
Being in such close proximity to the rebels, we were 
obliged to lie close to the ground, either on our backs or 
faces, and therefore were unable to warm ourselves by ex- 
ercise, and only by kicking the ground with our toes. 

Oh, how we suffered from the bitter cold during our 
four long hours of watching that night ! Not a loud word 
to break the stillness. Not a move could be made without 
drawing the fire of the rebel line, and we lay there watch- 
ing, almost freezing, on that cold, hard field, wishing for 
daylight,— a relief,— an advance,— anything that would 
serve to quicken our congealing blood and overcome the 
drowsiness that was fast creeping upon us, — the natural 
effect of the cold. 

My right-hand partner. Corporal Larkham, crawled up to 
me and whispered, " George, there is no need for both of 
us to keep awake ; you let me lie down side of you and 
sleep about fifteen minutes, and then wake me up and you 
take your turn." 

"All right, Charley, lie down," I replied, and in an in- 
stant he was sound asleep. Some facetious rebel across the 
way suddenly cried out: " Hurray for the Star Spangled 
Hanger!'' and immediately a dozen of our rifles spit fire 
and lead in his direction, and the noise brought Charley to 
his senses. 

As the line stilled down again, I, in my turn, curled up on 
the ground to sleep, while Charley kept watch ; but had 
hardly closed my eyes when several more shots were fired, 
bringing me awake in an instant. One of our men, unable 
to bear the cold any longer, had got up to go to the rear, 
and the rebels seeing him, opened fire, not hitting him, how- 



1 66 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

ever. This disturbance was soon quieted, and we lay low, 
not daring to close our eyes for an instant now. 

Our officers occasionally crept along behind us on their 
hands and knees, trying to keep our spirits up by words 
of encouragement, and telling us we would be relieved in 
about fifteen minutes. This was an extraordinary fifteen 
minutes. It was nearly two hours long. At last we heard 
troops moving in rear of us. It was the Ninth New York 
Regiment. They crept up behind us quietly, and we gave 
them our orders and crawled away to the rear. It was now 
2 o'clock, and we had been out there four hours. 

When I was relieved I attempted to crawl back to the 
rear on my hands and knees, but found them so stiff' and 
numb from the cold that I had to pull myself along as best 
I could over the intervening space between our picket-line 
and the ravine at the railroad, reaching which, I rolled 
down to the track like a log. 

This feat of gymnastics served to warm me up a little, 
and I proceeded to where a large crowd of men were hov- 
ering around a very small fire. Staying here a short time, 
I went up the opposite bank and found quite a good fire in 
rear of the brick-kilns, at which I managed to get thawed 
out. 

With returning warmth came the desire to find a place 
where I could get a little sleep before morning. Situated a 
short distance in rear of the brick works was an old barn, 
partly filled with hay, and of course it was crowded to 
overflowing with tired men, who lay thickly strewn over 
the hay, trying to get a little sleep. 

But those outside kept crowding in, regardless of the rules 
of the house, tramping, in the pitch darkness, over the faces 
and bodies of the sleepers, who made the old barn resound 
with cries of " What the h — 1 are ye doing? " " Get off my 
stomach, " ''Oh, my head, " "Put 'em in the guard house," 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 167 

etc. By dint of much hard struggling, I managed to get 
an armful of hay, and running the gauntlet of oaths and 
curses, got safely out into the barnyard. Finding a warm 
corner under the lee of a fence, I made my bed there, and 
lying down, pulled my blanket over me, and was soon 
asleep. 

The morning of the 13th broke gray and dismal. A 
thick fog hung over the field and obscured the view of the 
rebel line. Having aroused myself, I went into a house 
near by, and by the aid of a good fire, cooked my coffee 
and ate breakfast. I then went out to the brick works 
and found the regiment getting in line to move with the rest 
of the brigade. The fog was slowly lifting from the field, 
and disclosed the enemy to our pickets. Thereupon a 
picket fire commenced, which soon increased to such an 
extent that reenforcements were sent to the picket lines. 

We were now ordered to change position, and marched 
down through the city to the banks of the river, near the 
centre. 

The pickets were now hard at work the whole length of 
the line. Batteries of artillery were flying into position. 
Brigade after brigade marched out to the field to take the 
positions assigned them, and the increasing roar of the guns 
and musketry gave evidence that the day's work had fairly 
commenced. 

The fire of the skirmish line and artillery was kept up 
until about noon, while Couch's division on the right centre, 
was massing for the charge, when the word " Forward" 
was given, and steadily that line of brave men advanced on 
the run, across the plain towards the enemy's lines. 

And now the heavens shook with the terrible roar of bat- 
tle, as the enemy's guns rained death into the devoted ranks 
below, while a continual roar of musketry, the bursting of 
shell in their midst, and the sweeping storm of grape and 
canister mowed down our men like grass before the scythe. 



l68 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The line halted, vainly endeavored to breast the storm, lay 
down to escape its fire, and again tried to advance through 
the fiery sleet to reach the enemy's works. Seven times 
was that fearful charge repeated, until the field was cov- 
ered, and in some places piled, with our dead and wounded. 

And thus the fight went on. The wild and heroic lines 
waving back and forth before the fierce and incessant storm 
of death that swept them through and through. And now 
where was Franklin? He should have turned their right 
long before this, but from the sound of his guns we judged 
he was no further advanced than in the early morning, and 
no hope of weakening their forces here could be expected 
from him. 

As the sun drew near the horizon, and indicated the 
closing of the day, the fire from both sides, which had 
slackened somewhat, was renewed, and raged with the 
densest fury. Heaven and earth seemed quaking in the 
last throes of dissolution. From fifteen or twenty different 
forts in our front the rebels poured forth their charges of 
grape, shell, and shot upon the plain below, now covered 
with the decimated ranks of the living, striving to hold their 
own over the bodies of their dead comrades. 

It seemed to be an easy conflict for this portion of the 
rebel army. In line behind a stone wall at the foot of the 
first terrace, that bounded a sunken road, they were pro- 
tected from ever3thing but our bursting shell, their heads 
being on a level with the plain. Their batteries were pro- 
tected by earth-works, and could keep up a constant fire 
over their heads, consequently, all the rebel line had to 
do was to load and fire. 

At 5 o'clock, while the battle was raging the fiercest, we 
were ordered to change position to the left. This move 
brought us through the main streets of the city, now 
crowded with troops hurrying to and fro, batteries of ar- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 169 

tillery flying at full speed from point to point, scores of 
wounded men lying here and there, their shrieks and 
groans mingling with the hoarse cries of officers, men, and 
battery drivers as they lashed their horses on the run, 
falling bricks and timbers from the buildings, the burst- 
ing of shell and rattle of shot and grape, and the never 
ceasing roar of artillery and musketry, formed a scene 
which can never be effaced from our memory, and to 
which my pen fails to do justice. 

We halt in the street to allow Battery D, of Rhode 
Island, to pass us, going from left to right. One of its offi- 
cers observing the letters — "4 R.. I." — on our caps, 
pulled up his horse in front of us, and with hat in 
hand cried out, " Boys, remember that old Rhode Island 
is looking at you to-day." Our next comrade, Ned Gary, 
answered, "By jabers, we'd rather be looking at Rhode 
Island about these times." 

" Forward, Fourth Rhode Island," sounds down the line, 
and away we go, struggling through back yards, lanes, 
over fences, any way to get through, and soon reach the 
battle-field again. The right and left wings of the regi- 
ment have become separated in passing through to the 
front, but now come together again by right and left flank. 
Colonel Curtis is shouting his orders, when a rebel shell 
bursts over us. A piece of it strikes the colonel in the 
head, and he falls to the ground — dead. 

More by intuition than by orders we drop in line in 
rear of, and in support of, a battery that is suffering terri- 
bly from the fire of the enemy, its men nearly all shot 
away. Its commanding officer comes back to us with, 

" What regiment is this? " 

" Fourth Rhode Island." 

" Where is your colonel? " 

"Dead." 



170 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

" Who is next in command? " 

" Major BufFum." 

"Where is he? " 

" Back in the city." 

" Who is next in command? " 

" Captain Bucklin." 

"Where is he?" But before we can answer he goes 
down to the Ninth New York, on our left, and gets his 
detail to man his guns. Captain Bucklin is now here, and 
takes command. The battery we are supporting, unable 
to hold its position against the rebel fire, speedily limbers 
up and away to the rear. The enemy's fire now slackens 
in our front, and we lay in line, waiting for the next move. 

As the sun sank in the west, and night drew her dark 
mantle around us, the firing gradually slackened, and at 9 
o'clock had ceased, with the exception of a few picket shots 
now and then, and a rebel long range gun that occasionally 
sent its fiery messenger over our heads towards some point 
across the river. Tearing down the fences near by, we took 
the boards to keep us from the cold ground, and eating our 
frugal supper, lay down in line of battle and soon fell asleep 
undisturbed on that bloody field, until the dawn of another 
day aroused us to prepare for action again. 

Soon after sunrise, Sunday morning, we marched back 
into the city and stacked arms in one of the main streets. 
The battle was over. Twenty thousand men lay bleeding 
out on that plain, the result of this fatal assault, and not one 
foot of the enemy's works gained, not one object accom- 
plished, and still the enemy filled his works, — his loss being 
less than two thousand, — ready to use up the remainder of 
this army, should we again advance. 

But no advance was made. The troops were all drawn 
in, leaving only a strong line of pickets ; and the streets of 
the city were filled with men marching to and fro, broken 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I7I 

and disorganized regiments trying to muster together once 
more, and numberless stretchers with their loads of man- 
gled men seeking the nearest hospital. 

During the morning Meagher's Irish Brigade passed us, 
going towards the left, and presented a sad spectacle. Reg- 
iments that twenty-four hours previous were full in ranks 
of stout, able-bodied men, now numbering but forty or fifty, 
or perhaps a hundred, all told ; companies commanded by 
sergeants or corporals, all their commissioned officers hav- 
ing been shot away ; and battle flags shattered and torn into 
every conceivable shape. 

But at their head rode their noble general, Thomas F. 
Meagher, decked in his usual bright uniform and gorgeous 
array of badges, erect in his saddle, doubly proud of his 
position as leader of that noble fragment of his once power- 
ful brigade. 

General Burnside met them just in front of our regi- 
ment. He grasped the hand of General Meagher for an in- 
stant, and great tears of sorrow rolled down his cheeks as he 
beheld in this little body of men the evidence of their he- 
roic bravery, and the disastrous eff'ects of their fearless as- 
sault upon the enemy's works. 

Less than three years ago, I met in Richmond a veteran 
of the Twenty-fourth North Carolina Regiment, I believe 
it was. He told me that during the battle of Fredericks- 
burg his regiment was posted behind the stone wall at the 
sunken road, in front of which so many of our men were 
slaughtered. He said that was the "easiest" battle he 
ever was in. " Why," said he, " we uns had our ammuni- 
tion all laid out, handy for use, and all we had to do was to 
load and fire, load and fire. We stood in no danger from 
anything but bursting shell. All your fire went over our 
heads. There was absolutely no sight whatever for your 
men to reach us. They came pretty nigh it once, and one 



172 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

of you uns fell just six and a half feet from the wall. He 
was the nearest one I saw." 

I asked him why they did not open upon us Sunday and 
shell us out of the city. " We expected to do that," he re- 
plied. "We stayed in that road all day Sunday. Early Sun- 
day morning we had orders to be ready to advance across 
and drive you uns out ; but the day passed by and no orders 
came for us to start over. Bob Lee had a big heart, and 
I reckon he thought enough men had been slaughtered for 
one day." 

During the afternoon of Sunday I started out to stroll 
over the city and note a few scenes and incidents for future 
reference in these pages. 

The field was covered with the dead, and on the slope in 
front of the " stone wall" they lay in winnows and heaps. 
Parties were busy digging pits for their burial. The 
wounded were being cared for and brought in on stretchers 
to the hospitals. These occupied many of the larger dwell- 
ings in the place, and could easily be discerned by the 
piles of amputated limbs that were heaped up in the yards 
in the rear ; legs, arms, hands, and feet, as fast as they were 
cut off, were thrown into a pile to be buried. I was curious 
enough to examine some of these limbs, and found a leg 
cut off below the knee with only one bullet hole, and that 
through the calf of the leg ; no artery or bone seemed to 
be touched, and it was plain that this leg might have been 
dressed and healed, and thus saved to its owner. Other 
limbs, especially one or two hands, gave evidence that they 
had been amputated for the sake oi surgical -practice only. 

I once saw a man laid upon the operating table with a 
bullet hole in his leg. Four or five young surgeons were 
getting ready to amputate it, and had just put the man un- 
der the influence of chloroform, and were getting out their 
knives and saws to go to work upon him, when the surgeon 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I 73 

in charge rode up. Dismounting from his horse, he asked : 
' ' What are you going to do with that man ? " " Take off his 
leg above the knee," they replied. The surgeon examined the 
wound, followed the course of the ball over the knee-cap 
and under the bend of the knee, found it, made a slight in- 
cision, and slipped the ball out in his hand. " There, that 
man is all right ; there are no bones injured. Dress his 
wound and send him back to the ward," he said, and 
mounting his horse, rode away. Thus, if it had not been 
for the fortunate arrival of the surgeon just in time, the man 
would have been a cripple all his life, if, perchance, he had 
survived the shock of amputation. Many a one-legged or 
one-armed soldier to-day would have been saved the use of 
his limbs, had it not been for the grand opportunities for 
surgical practice that were rendered our young army 
medical students just after a severe battle. 

As I was passing along the street, I met a man hobbling 
along with a rammer for a cane. A rifled shot had carried 
away a large portion of the fleshy part of his thigh. Mor- 
tification had evidently set in. His wound was such that 
medical service was of no avail, and he had hobbled from 
hospital to hospital, trying to get some treatment or relief. 
The surgeons, with their hands full of those whose lives 
might be saved, would not spend their time on one whose 
case was hopeless, and the poor fellow piteously appealed to 
each one he met to help him find a doctor. We pitied 
him, but could do nothing to help him. Weak from loss 
of blood, he laid himself down in the corner of a yard near 
by, and awhile after, on going up to look at him, we found 
him dead. 

As w^e went down through the city the eflects of our 
bombardment could be seen on every hand. Here and 
there were once splendid mansions pierced through with our 



174 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

shot and shell, torn to pieces, or large portions blown out 
into the streets. Whole squares, formerly the pride of the 
city, with fine stores, manufactories, and private residences, 
were now but a heap of smouldering ruins, the fragments of 
their shattered walls looming up in their midst as if for a 
perpetual warning to those whose treachery to their coun- 
try was the cause of all this ruin and bloodshed. 

Stores of all kinds yet remaining intact were broken open 
by our men, and their contents, in the shape of groceries, 
furniture, dry goods, tobacco, cotton, flour, etc., etc., were 
scattered in the streets and trampled under the feet of men, 
horses, and teams, that were continually passing over them. 

Here in the eastern part of the town we observed a row 
of noble old elm trees standing in front of a once beauti- 
ful mansion, where for generations they had spread their 
leafy branches in peace, and afforded shade and shelter for 
thousands. Now the}^ were pierced, torn, twisted, or split 
asunder by our fire, and the mansion that reposed in their 
shadow, and within whose walls youth, beauty, and wealth 
were wont to hold their joyous revelry, now stood but a 
shattered, blackened wreck. The gay voices were gone. 
The music of peace and love was still. The wine of hos- 
pitality had ceased flowing. 

War, that relentless spirit of evil, had set his heavy foot 
upon it and crushed it to the earth. 

Let us enter one of these deserted homes, not so badly 
shattered as the rest. We find it furnished with everything 
the heart could wish or cultivated taste suggest for com- 
fort or pleasure. The parlors are splendidly carpeted. 
A rich piano stands in one corner. The library is full of 
books. Beautiful chandeliers hang pendant from the ceil- 
ing. Everything remains as when on that dreadful morn- 
ing, two days ago, our guns began their work, and tossed 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 175 

their shot and shell over into the midst of the sleeping 
population. 

Aroused by the awful tempest to a sense of their danger, 
the inhabitants had fled, almost in their night clothes, to a 
point of safety beyond the rebel lines, leaving everything in 
their houses nearly as it stood the night before when they 
peacefully retired. And in this condition did our men find 
these houses, and at once entered and took possession. 

Here we find a group of six or seyen rough soldiers oc- 
cupying this beautiful home. One sits down to the piano 
to play, and he has not forgotten his musical studies since he 
left home. It is an enjoyment to him that he has not known 
for a long time. His comrades lie at ease around on the 
sofas and easy chairs, listening to the really fine music. 
As he ceases playing, another says, "Did you ever see 
me play?" and seizing his rifle, he brings it down full force 
upon the key-board, smashing it into splinters. Others cut 
out the strings for future use in banjos, violins, etc., in pro- 
spective, and the beautiful instrument is totally ruined. Be- 
fore this party leaves other furniture shares a like fate. 

But in the midst of all this unnecessary destruction of 
property, there was one object that had a wonderful escape. 
Down near the banks of the river a fine statue of George 
Washington was inclosed in a sort of shed. Though 
this was many times directly between two fires, and as liable 
to injury during the bombardment as any other building, 
yet it remained unscathed during the whole battle. 

As the evening approached, we passed up the street to 
where our regiment was located. The wounded had nearly 
all been brought in and cared for. It was evident that we 
could not stay here a great while without a move in some 
direction, but we had no orders as yet, and prepared for a 
night's rest. 



176 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Building a small fire in the road, I put on my coftee to 
boil, and stepping one side to get something from my hav- 
ersack, I heard the report of a rebel gun, the whizzing of 
a solid shot through the air, and away went my fire, coffee- 
pot and all, flying in every direction. The rebel artillery- 
man had seen my little fire, and taking it for a mark, had 
shown us a specimen of his skill in gunnery by planting a 
shot directly into it, spoiling my supper for the time being. 
A little more cautious this time, I went into a house near 
by, and cooked and ate my supper in peace. After a good 
smoke and discussion of our situation, we stretched our- 
selves in rear of our gun-stacks and slept undisturbed till 
morning. 

Monday, December 15th, dawned upon us, and early in 
the morning we received orders to busy ourselves in col- 
lecting and depositing in certain places all the stones, pieces 
of iron, or other metal that an enemy could use against us. 
Teams gathered these piles up and dumped them in the 
river. This order looked to us like a preparation for re- 
treat, and we worked pretty lively most of the day at it. 

The two armies still held their relative positions, — ours 
being too badly crippled to make a successful attack in the 
dav time, and the rebel army did not see fit to open upon 
the town. It was fortunate for us that this was the case, 
for if they had opened upon the city, crowded, as it was, 
with troops, wagons, and artiller}^ what with the flying 
bricks, falling buildings, and storm of shot and shell, we 
should either have been forced to charge their works again, 
or make a fearful rush for the river, followed by the whole 
rebel army. In either case the eflect would have been 
most disastrous to our troops, probably involving the loss 
of two-thirds of our whole force, and destroying, for the 
time being, this glorious old Army of the Potomac. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 77 

Towards evening evidences of a move were seen in all 
directions. Batteries were under way to take position ; the 
wounded were being carried back across the river ; regi- 
ments changing from one place to another ; new supplies 
of ammunition given out, and the men cautioned to remain 
near their respective colors. 

At 9 o'clock that night orders were received. Every cup 
or anything that could make a noise was placed inside our 
haversacks. No order was given in a loud voice, and silence 
was enjoined upon us. Soon after nine we broke stacks, 
faced to the left, and marched quickly and quietly as possi- 
ble to a point somewhat to the left of our former position in 
the field, when the whole line halted, faced to the front, and 
stacked arms. 

A detail of men for the skirmish line was called, and the 
line was established a short distance to the front. The 
writer, with several others of our company, was part of 
this detail. We crawled out to the front and formed the 
line, connecting with others on our right and left, and lying 
close to the ground, awaited events. 

What did all this mean ? The army in two lines of bat- 
tle now stretched out in front of the rebel works, ready to 
advance in a night attack on the heights beyond. The 
regular pickets in front of us were at work as usual, but 
the sound of their rifles gave us no indication of any advance 
movement on their part. The night was still and cold. In 
front, the enemy's camp-fires were burning brightly, while 
the sound of picks and shovels and axes, — the shouts of 
the mule drivers, or the bark of some rebel dog, could be 
plainly heard, as they worked away repairing damages, or 
getting things ready to receive our night attack. 

Looking back to the rear, we saw our two dark lines of 
battle extending far to the right and left, ready at a moment's 

12 



178 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

warning to leap into life, and advance, like the incoming 
wave of the sea, upon those bloody heights again. 

For about an hour we lay there still, expecting to receive 
the word forward, and those frow^ning heights transformed 
into volcanoes in an instant, for well we knew that thou- 
sands of watchful rebel eyes were peering through the 
pitch darkness to catch the first glimpse of our advance, and 
rifle and cannon were ready to give us a warm reception. 

But at last there is a movement in our line of batde. Are 
they getting in readiness to make the assault? An officer 
comes out to us on the skirmish hne and orders us to report 
to our regiment. In a few minutes we are with them. 
The line moves by the right flank, file right, hack into the 
city, down to the river, and across the pontoon bridge. We 
keep on quietly towards camp, but get on the wrong road, 
and do not arrive there until 3 o'clock the next morning. 
We are glad to get safely out of that mess. 

It was a great strategic movement, — the evacuation ot 
Fredericksburg, — a masterly retreat, a representation of 
generalship which had not its equal during the whole war. 
To remove an army of 100,000 men, with all their neces- 
sary teams, sick and wounded, batteries of artillery, etc., 
from the direct front of a watchful and victorious enemy 
without any noise, or betraying the movement in any man- 
ner, and to pass them all over a pontoon bridge in the rear, 
without the loss of a man, team, or gun, was an act that 
was unprecedented, and gave sufficient f roof oi \.h.e ability 
of General Burnside to handle this army, and we thought 
that if his orders had been obeyed as implicitly in the 
advance movement as they had in the retreat, as great a 
success would have rewarded us. 

Had the least intimation of our retreat been given to the 
enemy by noise or suspicious move, the whole rebel line 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 1 79 

would have been opened upon us and the fearful loss of 
life in the panic that would doubtless have followed, in the 
rush for those two weak pontoon bridges, would have re- 
sulted in tremendous disaster, many times worse than we 
had experienced in the battle. 

But all were got over quietly and safely. The men on 
the picket line were not informed of the movement until it 
was well-nigh accomplished. They were ordered to grad- 
ually cease firing about midnight, and shortly after to crawl 
back quietly to the city, which they did without creating 
suspicion of their movements, reaching which they made 
quick time to the river, where pontoon boats were in wait- 
ing for them, were rowed across, the bridges in the mean- 
while having been taken up, and the battle of Fredericks- 
burg was fully ended. 

The first streaks of daylight revealed to the enemy's pick- 
ets a field and city deserted by all save the bodies of the 
dead. 

Surprised and astounded by this discovery, they sprang 
up, and cautiously advanced toward the city. But no "blue- 
bellies" were in sight, except here and there a " skulker," 
and now a word in regard to them. 

These men had managed to leave their regiments the 
night before the battle. They secreted themselves in the 
rooms and cellars of houses, and being able to procure 
plenty of food and good beds, had performed their part of 
this movement by living well and keeping out of danger. 
Quite a number of them had gone to bed the night before, 
after watching us move in line of battle out to the front, and 
no doubt congratulated themselves that they were smart 
enough to evade the coming battle as nicely as they had 
that of Saturday. 

While they were sleeping in their secure and no doubt 



l8o FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

very comfortable hiding-places, the army evacuated so 
■quietly as not to wake them. Imagine their surprise when 
on awaking the next morning they do not hear the usual 
noise and bustle in the street outside. They crawl out to 
investigate, but no troops are there. The city is still. Every- 
body but their cowardly selves have changed base. They 
have got left, and it is quite a cold morning, while their 
comrades who have clung to their place in line and have 
done their duty, are now safe in camp across the river. 

As a last resort they rush to the river, and yell to our 
pickets on this side to send them a boat, but round yonder 
corner appears a squad of rebels. They turn to flee, but 
are met by another squad, and thus yield themselves pris- 
oners, and meet the reward of their shirking duty by be- 
ing marched off directly in sight of their comrades across 
the river, to some vile hole of a rebel prison. Served them 
right. 

The rebels were astounded at this bold and successful 
retreat of Burnside, and called it a " right smart Yankee 
trick." They speedily occupied the town again, and threw 
up lines of breast-works in the streets to oppose any fur- 
ther movement to occupy the city. The inhabitants came 
back from the shelter of the rebel works, and fortunate 
were those who found even a roof to shelter their families. 

And now our weary and bleeding army was suffered to 
rest in camp for a few days. Shortly after the fight I was 
detailed for picket duty on the banks of the river, and had 
a good view of the city. The streets seemed as full of cit- 
izens as ever. Many ladies were passing to and fro, and 
everything appeared about the same as before the battle, 
except the ruins of the burned buildings. 

Major Buffum now took command of our regiment. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis' body was sent home, where it 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. l8l 

received all the honors of burial that could be bestowed 
upon it, and was deposited in the North Burial Ground at 
Providence, R. I., where a monument of free-stone marks 
his last resting-place. 

Standing on Marye's Heights one day in September, 
1884, and taking in at a glance the positions of both 
armies on that dreadful Saturday of the battle, it was a 
source of wonder to me, that of the number of our men who 
crossed that field to the assault so many got safely back. 
These heights commanded such a clean sweep of that 
plain that even a cat crossing it would be a fair mark to 
the rebel rifles. That there was absolutely no chance to 
carry these heights by direct assault in the face of the rebel 
force that then occupied them, that our men made the 
attempt with most desperate heroism, and failed, we have 
sad evidence all around us. Here on the very spot we 
strove so hard to win is located a beautiful National Ceme- 
tery. In this ' ' city of the dead " lies all that is left of those 
brave boys who gave all they could give, their life-blood, 
a sacrifice to the defense of their country's flag. Fifteen 
thousand two hundred and seventeen of our comrades here 
sleep their last long rest. Of this vast number but 2,487 
are known. Twelve thousand seven hundred and seventy 
graves are marked with a small marble stone, on top of 
which is cut a number indicating that nothing could be 
found on the dead soldier's remains to identify him, and he 
is numbered among the vast army of "unknown " dead. 

Where anything at all was found it is noticed on the 
little headstones. Here you will find one stone that reads 
"Co. H" — that is all. It was probably upon some of his 
equipments or other things. Another one reads "John." 
Another, "89th N. Y." Another, "Thompson, Indiana," 
while some are more complete. Onlv one full-sized head- 



l82 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

stone could be found, and that contained a full inscription, 
and was planted there by his surviving friends or relatives. 

At the junction of the different paths that wind around 
the cemetery, and under the flag that perpetually waves 
above them, — the flag that these men died to save, — may be 
found bronze metal plates, upon each of which is inscribed 
a verse of Everett's beautiful poem ; and our hearts fill with 
sorrow and our eyes with tears, as we read these inspired 
words, and as the memory of that dreadful day comes back 
to us with renewed force in the presence of these poor 
wasting bodies of our dead. May their rest be sweet, and 
their reward eternal peace. 

Unknown !' Unknown to all save God and the angels 
of heaven ; and we turn away and leave them to sleep 
where 

" On Fame's eternal camping-ground, 
Their silent tents are spread ; 
And Glorj guards, with solemn round, 
The bivouac of the dead." 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 183 

yanuary, 1863. 



CHAPTER XII. 



FREDERICKSBURG TO SUFFOLK. 

THE year 1863 dawned upon us in camp, engaged 
in the regular routine of camp duties, but not a 
week of this new year had passed before a change 
occurred in our brigade, to our great satisfaction. We 
were removed from Harland's Connecticut Brigrade and as- 
signed to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Corps, 
which was composed of the Thirteenth New Hampshire, 
Twenty-fifth New Jersey, Twenty-first Connecticut, and 
our own Fourth Rhode Island. 

Of course this new assignment necessitated a change of 
camp ; and soon after a general review of the Ninth Corps 
by General Burnside, occurring on the 6th of January, we 
broke camp and crossing the main road, marched about a 
mile nearer the railroad and pitched camp on the side of a 
steep hill. I visited this camp in 1884. No traces of it 
remain, except the stumps of the trees, general lay out of the 
land, and the spring where we used to get such good water. 
The hills are all covered with a twenty-year old forest, and 
vines and underbrush cover the ground ; but still one can 
readily recognize the place. 

It was a dreadful place for a camp ; but by building our 
tents up on logs we managed to live quite comfortably here. 



184 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

This way of building afforded room for a fireplace and mud 
chimney. Each tent was adorned with one of those grace- 
ful ( ?) towers of sticks and mud ; but bad as they looked on 
the outside, they afforded us a comfortable little fireplace 
on the inside, where we could keep a nice fire burning all 
night during the severe cold weather. 

But to keep wood enough on hand for our fire was a 
hard job. With axes and ropes we each day went over to 
a piece of woods about a mile distant, and after a couple 
hours of hacking and chopping came back to camp with a 
good sized bundle of wood. As all the rest of the army 
were occupied in the " short wood" line, it soon became a 
scarce article, but we found enough to last us during our 
stay here. 

Near by the camp was situated Prof. James Allen's bal- 
loon, kept here for the purpose of observing the enemy's 
movements. It was supplied with gas manufactured on 
the spot, and made several ascensions, by the aid of wind- 
lass and rope, to the height of a thousand feet every day. 
From this height the whole line of the enemy's works, 
camps, and movements could be easily discerned. During 
the battle previously he made one or two ascensions, but 
the rebels got the range of him, and sent one or two shot 
in such close proximity that he gave up the attempt and 
came down. 

The monotony of camp life was at length relieved by the 
appearance, on January 15th, of our paymaster with his 
treasure chest, and visions of bright new greenbacks and the 
consequent supplies of sutler's stores, etc., cheered us 
greatly. The happy, smiling faces that gathered around 
the sergeant's tent for the signing of the "pay rolls" 
became suddenly clouded when it was announced that 
although six months' pay was due us, we were to receive 
but four. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 185 

This we felt to be a great injustice to us, fighting and 
suffering all kinds of hardships for a nation amply able to 
keep square with us in financial matters. With our families 
at home in great need of money, and in many cases suf- 
fering by being deprived of it so long, it did not seem just 
that it should be withheld from us. 

But our indignation was aroused to the highest pitch 
when we learned that out of our small earnings a further 
sum of $36.50 was to be deducted in payment of our first 
suit of army blue. 

Now when we enlisted in Rhode Island for our country's 
salvation it was clearly understood, and so announced in 
big letters upon the recruiting placards posted in the offices, 
that, together with $13.00 a month and found, good medi- 
cal attendance, etc., we were to be furnished with a full 
suit of army clothing and equipments free of charge. It 
was not expected that in offering our services as volunteers 
we should buy our own uniforms, neither was such a thing 
demanded, and of all the Rhode Island troops that went to 
the field, not one, with the exception of our regiment, was 
ever required to pay for their first suit. 

Much excitement was created in camp. The men refused 
to sign the pay rolls unless that objectionable and fraudu- 
lent demand was erased from them. We threatened to 
stack arms at the dress parade that night and refuse further 
duty until our right and honestly earned wages were paid 
to us. Cheers were given for Jeff. Davis, and a mutiny 
seemed imminent. 

The paymaster, Major Ehretts, unexpectedly meeting 
such opposition, knew not what to do, but after conferring 
with our officers decided to stay in camp and let the men 
sleep one night upon it, and the next day he gave out 
warning that unless they signed and took what they could 
get now, it would probably be from four to six months 



l86 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

before he would be able to come again to us, and then we 
should be no better oft'. " Of two evils, choose the least," is 
an old maxim, and acting upon it, the boys, very generally 
the next day signed the rolls, and took their meagre allow- 
ance. 

Some of us had a large clothing balance due us, and 
therefore got nearly what would amount to four months' 
pay, while others, from having been obliged to over-draw 
in clothing, on account of losing knapsacks and clothing 
at Washington, and the wear and tear of this last campaign, 
added to the deduction of $36.50 for the first suit, received 
a very small pittance for their hard labor of the past six 
months. 

One poor soldier received a little over three dollars as 
his share. Another was paid eighty-five cents, while still 
another had periled his life for the magnificent sum of tzvo 
three-cent postage siatup. Compare this with the wages 
these, men might have been receiving had they stayed at 
home and provided for their families, and the injustice 
done us is very apparent. 

I will state here, that after twenty-four years have passed 
since the above transpired, the State of Rhode Island seems 
willing to allow our claim, and return us the sum deducted. 
After pay-day the camp settled down to its usual routine 
of duty, but was soon stirred up again by the reception of 
marching orders. The men were required to be ready to 
move at a moment's warning. Five days' rations were 
ordered to be cooked up and kept on hand, and various 
were the surmises as to our destination. 

At length on Tuesday, January 20th, at dress-parade, 
an order from General Burnside was read to us to the 
effect that we were about to move again on the enemy on 
the other side of the river. 

The next morning at 3 o'clock we were waked up, and 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 187 

found all the troops astir, and getting ready to move on the 
enemy by daylight. The storm that had been slowly 
gathering in the eastern heavens the day before, now burst 
upon us in all its fury. The rain poured in torrents, and 
driven by the fierce wind in blinding sheets through the 
camps and across the plains, soon converted the solid clay 
into a batch of sticky mud. 

Most of the men in obedience to orders had struck their 
tents and were sitting on their knapsacks in the deluging 
rain, waiting for the brigade to move, and, of course, were 
soon wet to the skin. Fires were out of the question in 
such a storm, and they were therefore forced to remain 
cold, wet, and miserable until daylight. The writer, know- 
ing from experience that no move could be made in such 
a storm as this, made excuse that his tcntmate was sick, 
and kept our tent standing, as did several others, ready to 
strike should the line move, and meanwhile kept myself 
and messmate dry. This proved subsequently to be the 
wisest plan, if not strictly honest, as at daybreak the orders 
were countermanded. 

But those troops who had started out on the road found 
themselves unable, by reason of the mud, to proceed more 
than a mile or two from camp. Men plodded along slowly 
in the thick darkness and storm, through mud and water, 
until they could go no further. Horses and mules strug- 
gled and floundered about, drivers shouted and cursed, the 
artillery sank to the hubs, — and to cap all, the movement 
was discovered by the enemy, who were at once on the 
alert to prevent the contemplated surprise, and were soon 
ready to receive those who, having survived the dangers 
of the road, should attempt to cross the river in their front. 

An advance was impossible, and General Burnside's con- 
templated attack upon a vulnerable point of the enemy's 
lines, and which doubtless would have been a success but 



l88 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

for the fierce battle of the elements and the adhesive nature 
of Virginia mud, was defeated at every point, and he was 
forced to order the troops back to their camp and give it 
up. But owing to the awful condition of the roads, it was 
late the next day before they all reached camp, and many 
teamsters, unable to extricate their teams from the mud, 
were forced to leave them. 

Thus ended this unlucky attempt, and its unfortunate 
failure was duly celebrated by the festive Johnnies across 
the river, who hung out a large canvas sign in front of the 
houses near the river bank, upon which was painted in 
enormous letters 

" BURNSIDE STUCK IN THE MUD." 

The feeling in the regiment in regard to their late pay 
was in no wise alla3^ed but in some degree intensified by 
this last move. Although we were not obliged to leave 
camp, yet most of the men stood out in the cold driving 
storm, when by a little forethought, all might have been al- 
lowed to keep their tents standing as a shelter until we were 
obliged to move. 

We received a number of recruits at this time, among 
whom were several bounty jumpers, mostly French Cana- 
dians. These men enlisting for the purpose of desertion 
at the first opportunity, sow^ed the seeds of discord upon well 
tilled ground, as it were, and infected many of the discon- 
tented w^ith their plans of desertion. 

Not a day passed but one or more took French leave of 
us. One of Company B, a Canadian recruit by the name 
of James Jeffers, one day received a box from home in 
Nova Scotia, containing a full suit of citizen's clothes. 

This affair was well known to everyone in the company. 
I went in myself and examined his suit, and the orderly 
sergeant of the company was as well imformed of his in- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I 89 

tentions as any one, yet such was the state of feeling in the 
regiment at that time that no blame was attached to any 
one who was smart enough to get away, and he was allowed 
to escape without any report being given to our officers of his 
intention. 

Putting on this citizen's suit underneath his blue uniform, 
he took an axe and went out after roll-call the next morn- 
ing to get some fire wood, and for all we know is chopping 
away yet, as we never saw or heard anything more of him. 

January 26th, the following general orders were read 
to us : 

HEADqUARTERS ArMY OF THE POTOMAC, 

January 26, 1863. 

By direction of the President of the United States, the Commanding 
General this day transfers the command of this army to Maj.-Gen. Joseph 
Hooker. 

The short time that he has directed your movements has not been fruit- 
ful of victory or any considerable advancement of our lines, but it has 
again demonstrated an amount of courage, patience, and endurance, that 
under more favorable circumstances would have accomplished great results. 
Continue to exercise these virtues. Be true in your devotion to your coun- 
try and the principles you have sworn to maintain. Give to the brave and 
skillful general who has so long been identified with your organization, and 
who is now to command you, your full and cordial support and coopera- 
tion, and you will deserve success. 

In taking an affectionate leave of the entire army from which he sepa- 
rates with so much regret, he may be pardoned if he bids an especial fare- 
well to his long-tried associates of the Ninth Corps. 

His prayers are that God may be with you, and grant you continual suc- 
cess until the rebellion is crushed. 

By command of 

Maj.-Gen. A. E. BURNSIDE. 
Lewis Richmond, A. A. G. 

Never for a minute did we expect that General Burnside 
would be laid upon the shelf by the War Department. Men 
of strong, earnest, and honest patriotism, capable of handling 
armies, were too scarce an article in those troublous times. 



ipO FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and we were not surprised when a few weeks later he was 
appointed to the command of the Department of the Ohio. 

Nor did we expect that he would long remain in any 
department without the presence of his faithful old Ninth 
Corps, and we were prepared to receive marching orders, 
which came to us Friday, February 6th. 

The next morning we packed up, struck tents, and 
marched down to the railroad. At sunset we got aboard 
the cars and left the scene of our many troubles and trials 
without the least regret. At half past ten that night we 
arrived at Acquia Creek, and at three the next morning 
the regiment embarked, — the right wing aboard steamer 
Colonel Btickncr, and the left wing aboard the steamer 
yosephine. 

An hour later we left the wharf, and swinging out into 
the stream, came to anchor while the rest of the Ninth 
Corps embarked on the various transports in waiting. At 
I o'clock in the afternoon we weighed anchor and sailed 
away down the Chesapeake. Monday morning we arrived 
off Fortress Monroe and anchored. At noon we started 
again, heading up the James River, and landed at New- 
port News, from which we had started with such full ranks 
only a few months before. 

We were now but a shadow of our number at that time, 
having, since we left here, lost three commanders, Rodman. 
Steere, and Curtis, and about one hundred and seventy- 
five men. But our shattered regiment still held its own, 
and marched as proudly up the old familiar roads as when 
we had left them. 

We were now quartered in barracks some distance ta 
the right of our old camp, large enough to hold two or 
three of our companies, and therefore we were a little more 
comfortably situated during the cold weather than we were 
in our little canvas dog-houses on the banks of the Rap- 
pahannock. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I9I 

We were put in good trim, kept our shoes blacked 
nicely, and equipments and guns in first-class condition all 
the time. We also enjoyed a good supply of fresh, warm, 
soft bread every day, which in consideration of the hard- 
tack that had been our staff' of life since we left here, made 
us feel that the change we had experienced had been the 
better for us. 

Soon after our arrival here, I was again placed on de- 
tached service in the bakery, to follow my vocation of 
"dough puncher" for the benefit of this corps. There 
were two gangs of men, eight in each gang, under the 
charge of the foreman, Geo. W. Young, of the Seventh 
Rhode Island Volunteers, and we turned out from twelve 
to sixteen barrels of flour in bread every twelve hours, 
working very hard to do so, and receiving onl}^ the cus- 
tomary extra rations and forty cents per day extra pay. 

Sunday, February 22d, the regiment was formed in a 
hollow square on the parade, and a new stand of National 
Colors was presented to us from the ladies of Rhode Island. 
A letter from the donors was read to us, alluding to our 
patriotic defense of the old colors with which we left the 
state, and charging us to follow this new one as faithfully. 
The colors and letter were received with many cheers, the 
color-guard took charge of their new ensign, and the 
parade was dismissed. 

This new flag was a beautiful silk emblem of our 
national existence, of regulation size, and neatly inscribed 
with the words, " Roanoke Island, Newbern, Fort Macon, 
South Mountain, and Antietam," in letters of gold. 

The old colors, shattered and torn with the storms of 
battle, and stained by the blood of its bearers, was carefully 
packed away and sent home to Rhode Island, to tell its 
silent story of our endeavors to uphold the honor of the 
state and the life of the Nation entrusted to us on our 
departure for the seat of war. 



192 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

After about a month's experience in camp-life at this 
place, and its usual routine of guard and picket duty, things 
began to look like another move. The first and second 
divisions of our corps parted company from us, and left 
for the far West to operate under Burnside in connection 
with Grant's and Sherman's armies. 

Thursday night, March 12th, our division, the third, 
received marching orders, and packing up, next day our 
regiment embarked on the steamer Kitty Hudson^ which 
landed them at Norfolk, on their way to reenforce General 
Peck, at Suffolk, Va. 

As when the regiment departed from this place before, 
so at this time, we were left at the bakery on detached ser- 
vice to follow up our regiment at the dictation of the post 
commander. 

We had not long to wait, however, for on the iSth we 
received our extra pay, and were ordered to report to our 
respective commands at Suffolk. On the 20th, our little 
party of bakers took transportation for Suffolk, and arrived 
there (by easy stages) on the evening of the 22d. 

Suffolk is a small village prettily situated on the banks of 
the Nansemond River, about twenty miles from Norfolk, at 
the junction of the Norfolk and Petersburg, and Seaboard 
and Roanoke Railroads. These roads run nearly parallel 
with each other from their terminus at Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth to this place, and separated by about two miles of 
intervening swamp and woodland nearly the entire dis- 
tance. Over these two roads our army received their sup- 
plies. 

The town was of no special militar}^ importance except 
as a post of observation and protection to the two ports of 
Norfolk and Portsmouth. General Peck had been sent to 
command here during the September previous, with a force 
of about thirteen thousand men, and had labored unwea- 
riedly to put it in a state of defense. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I93 

About the middle of March, Longstreet was found to be 
advancing against the place. Hence the orders for reen- 
forcement ; and our Third Division, Ninth Corps, Gen. 
George W. Getty commanding, was ordered from New- 
port News to his relief. New troops were also arriving daily 
from Washington and other points, and work was rapidly 
pushed forward on the fortifications surrounding the town. 

Our regiment's camp was situated about a mile from the 
railroad station, and occupied a level piece of bare, clayey 
soil, which at every rainstorm became a thick, sticky mass 
of yellow mud. During our stay at this camp we passed 
through the usual reviews and inspections, and our hearts 
were gladdened by the appearance of the always welcome 
paymaster, and there being no deduction this time, he left 
us well filled purses. Sutlers received their usual patronage, 
cards were brought out again, and the state commissioner 
was on hand to take a part of our well-earned wages home 
to the wives and families. 

April loth orders came for us to move. We packed up, 
and leaving our tents standing, started down the river road 
about 8 o'clock in the evening. After marching along in 
the darkness for about six or eight miles, we left the road, 
turned in towards the river, and halted at a place on its 
banks opposite Hill's Point, where the left of the rebel army 
investing this place was supposed to lay. 

It was now about half-past two in the morning. We 
stretched ourselves on the ground, got a couple of hours' 
sleep, and were aroused at daylight to get ready to throw 
up an earth-work at this place. The land here rose in steep 
blufts from the river to the height of about thirty feet, and 
its bank being covered with a heavy growth of timber and 
brush, afforded an excellent spot for a masked battery, com- 
manding the river and rebel line beyond. 

After a hasty breakfast, we set at work with axes, picks, 

13 



194 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and shovels, and by noon our fort began to show quite good 
proportions. The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment 
now came in to reheve us. 

During the afternoon we rested as much as possible while 
they were at work, and as night closed down, made prepa- 
rations to sleep, but were ordered in line again, and started 
back to camp, arriving there at half-past two next morning, 
and found the whole army under marching orders. 

"The rebel General Longstreet had now^ crossed the Black 
Water, the next stream north of the Nansemond, and was 
advancing on Suffolk with 40,000 men, with the intention of 
crossing and of cutting the railroad at or near Hill's Point, 
where we had just erected the battery or fort above men- 
tioned, thereby getting in rear of us, capturing or scattering 
our whole force, and then advancing on Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth, which w^ould fall an easy prey to his armies. 

"General Peck deeming our half finished works an inse- 
cure barrier to the designs of Longstreet, sent to Admiral 
Lee at Hampton Roads for gun-boats, and they arrived just 
in time to prevent the enemy ( who were now in over- 
whelming force on the other side of the river) from cross- 
ing. 

"These formidable batteries moving up and down the 
river, kept up an incessant firing night and day, thus pre- 
cluding any possible effort of the enemy to cross." 

Longstreet finding Peck prepared at every point to re- 
ceive him, abandoned the attempt to take the place by 
surprise, and sat down before it in regular siege. " Planting 
batteries along the stream, he first endeavored to drive the 
gun-boats away or sink them. A fierce artillery fight fol- 
lowed, in which the gun-boats were riddled with shot, but 
Lieutenants Gushing and Lamson, who commanded the 
fieet, clung to the enemy's batteries with a tenacity that 
nothing could shake loose. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I95 

" General Getty, commanding the Third Division, Ninth 
Corps, held the line of the Nansemond, nine miles in length, 
and by his sleepless vigilance and skill kept Longstreet's 
army from efFecdng a crossing. But on the i8th, the enemy 
succeeded in establishing a battery (opposite ours) at Hill's 
Point, which threatened to drive the gun-boats oft^ But this 
strong earth-work was surprised and captured by a brilliant 
night attack made by 280 men of the Eighty-ninth New 
York and the Eighth Connecticut regiments. The garrison 
of 137 men, and tive guns, were captured in this gallant as- 
sault. Longstreet now began to strengthen his defenses."* 
Owing to the close operations of the enemy, we were 
kept on the alert night and day for anything that might 
transpire, and supplied with two days' rations and eighty 
rounds of ammunition constantly. 

Sunday, April 12th, our beloved old colonel, W. H. P. 
Steere, arrived once more among us, having been away on 
sick leave since he received his wound at Antietam. How 
diflerent his reception now from what it was that first day at 
Newport News ! He was greeted with cheer upon cheer by 
the whole regiment, which, with smiles of joy upon their 
faces, hailed his advent among us with outstretched hands 
of welcome. He was yet very lame from the effects of his 
wound, and walked slowly by the aid of a cane. 

Monday, 13th, we were routed out at four in the morn- 
ing, and ordered away. At six we marched over to sup- 
port a battery on the south side of the intrenched line, about 
a mile from camp, as the enemy was reported to be mass- 
ing a strong force in front of that point. The day passed, 
however, with nothing unusual occurring. 

At half-past two the next morning. Company B was turned 
out and set at work digging a magazine in the fort. We 



* From Headley's " Tke Great Rebellion." 



iq6 forty-six months with the 

worked till daylight, and were relieved by Company E. 
Thus, by strengthening the works, and lying in bivouac in 
rear of the breast-works during the intervals of our labor, 
we passed the time until April 20th. 

At noon we received marching orders, and leaving the 
fort in charge of other troops, we marched down the river 
road to the fort opposite Hill's Point. After about an hour's 
rest we came back to camp. This was one of those mili- 
tary moves that seemed to accomplish nothing, and that 
none of us could account for, but probably there was a 
special reason for it somewhere. 

The next day, at noon, we were ordered in line again, 
and started off in the same direction as yesterday, but strik- 
ing the railroad, followed it down to the edge of the Great 
Dismal Swamp, about three miles from camp. A canal 
of dark red water ran along the edge of the swamp, finding 
its head in some lake or bayou in the midst of this wilder- 
ness, and its outlet in the Nansemond River. 

It was believed to be passable by boats for several miles 
into the interior, and was probably used as a highway to 
some secret lurking place by runaway slaves in days gone 
by. Along its edge the bogs had formed at the foot of the 
trees, and by the unrestrained growth of years, had interlaced 
with the mould and roots in such a manner as to make 
quite a respectable footpath for some distance into the 

swamp. 

We followed this path slowly, and in single file, for three 
or four miles, and at last reached the utmost limit of pedes- 
trianism, and halted here till nearly evening, when we re- 
traced our steps. It was thought there might be a road 
somewhere in the — to us — unknown recesses of the swamp 
whereby an enemy might get in the rear of us, and this 
move was made to investigate, and as a precautionary 
measure only. 

On our return to solid footing once more, we proceeded 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I97 

towards camp as far as Fort Halleck, a large earth-work 
commanding the railroad, and there halted. At about mid- 
night we came back to camp. 

By these various moves, which were participated in by 
other regiments, in various directions, it will be seen how 
constantly on the alert for a flank movement of the enemy 
we were kept during the progress of the siege. 

When we lay down at night, we were liable to be turned 
out of our beds and started ofl:' on a " scout " in some di- 
rection, or to strengthen some weak point in the line, or to 
throw up an earth-work in some exposed position. No time 
was allotted to drill, or the usual camp exercises. With 
a vigilant and active enemy surrounding us on three sides, 
separated from us only by a small, narrow stream, out-num- 
bering us two to one, and ready at any failure or lack of 
vigilance on our part to pounce his armed legions upon us, 
it was absolutely necessary that we kept ever ready to 
move from point to point, with the greatest celerity, either 
night or day, until this siege was raised. 

We had now two days' rest in camp, which was much 
needed by all of us, and duly improved. Friday morning, 
our pickets on the south side of the line reported the enemy 
moving, and it was decided to reconnoiter in force in that 
direction to see what he was about. 

At noon, two of our brigades with two batteries of artil- 
lery advanced toward the front, feeling our way cautiously 
along through the woods and open spaces. At a distance of 
two and a half miles from our works, our skirmishers struck 
a strong rebel picket line posted behind breast-works, ex- 
tending as far as we could see down into the swamp on our 
left. 

They stoutly resisted our advance, but our skirmish line 
being reenforced, and aided by a few rounds of shot and 
shell from our batteries, charged down upon them and 
drove them from their cover. The main line of battle halted 



198 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

here and lay down, while the skirmishers scoured the woods 
and fields in front of us, but finding nothing further in the 
shape of an enemy, save the still retreating rebel pickets, 
they returned, and we were ordered back to camp. 

A week passed with nothing unusual to mar the regular 
course of duties, and things were getting to be somewhat 
monotonous, relieved only by the arrival at Suffolk of the 
Eleventh Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, nine month's 
men. 

Of course we at once visited their camp, some two miles 
away, on the banks of the Nansemond River, and were 
glad to find among them many old-time friends and school- 
mates, and spent happy hours refreshing our memory of 
home life and talking over the good old times before the war. 
I found no less than twenty of my old friends and school- 
mates in this regiment. As a regiment, they were a fine 
looking body of men, but from the size of their knapsacks 
and the anxious look they occasionally cast over the river 
at the enemy's works, it was evident they needed a taste of 
gunpowder and the privations and hardships of a life in ac- 
tive service at the front, to transform them into soldiers. 

Friday, May ist, we broke camp, and marching about 
five miles down the road, went into bivouac for the night. 
The next day the teams brought down our tents, etc., 
and we made preparations for a permanent camp, being 
within supporting distance of our fort on the river bank, 
which was now finished and supplied. 

It was now evident that Longstreet was about to raise the 
siege and was withdrawing his troops from this vicinity. A 
reconnaissance in force was therefore ordered, and on the 
evening of May 2d, the whole force occupying that portion 
of the line nearest the river was ordered to be in readiness 
to cross at a moment's notice. 

Our regiment and the Twenty-first Connecticut holding 
the extreme right of our line, crossed to Hill's Point that 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. I99 

night in boats, and landed a, boat howitzer. About the 
same time a foothold was gained by our forces further up 
the river. The next morning, May 3d, a general advance 
was ordered, and soon the line of the enemy opened its fire 
and the " ball" began. 

The Twenty-first Connecticut, supported by our regiment, 
advanced against a piece of woods filled with the enemy, 
about half a mile from the river. A terrible fire met them, 
when the Twenty-first dropped their colors and retired. 
The old Fourth had been there before, and clearing them- 
selves of the rush of the Twenty-first, bravely faced the 
storm. It was one regiment against twenty. We could not 
advance against such odds, being unsupported. Comrade 
Seagraves, of Company H, went forward and picked up the 
colors of the Twenty-first, and under orders, the regiment 
fell slowly back to the river where they halted, holding 
their position until dark, losing one killed and four wounded. 

Without the protection of the gun-boats it is probable they 
would have been driven into the river, as the rebel force 
was found to exceed ours greatly, and would have tried to 
make another Ball's Bluff affair of it if they had not been 
stopped by the huge shell from the fleet. Soon after dark 
the recrossing of the troops commenced, and about mid- 
night the regiment reached camp with a loss of six wounded 
in this battle or skirmish, two of whom died soon after. 
The writer being on guard duty at camp, did not participate 
in this fight, but has given as good an account of it as he 
has been able to obtain. If there are any mistakes, com- 
rades, pass them over. 

The result of this movement was the formal retreat that 
night of nearly the whole rebel force, thus effectually rais- 
ing the siege of Sufiblk. 

Longstreet and his rebel horde now left this vicinity for 
Fredericksburg, to cooperate with Lee in his second inva- 
ion of Maryland. 



200 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Alay, 1 86s 



CHAPTER XIII. 



TO PORTSMOUTH, AND UP THE PENINSULA. 

THE weather was now extremely hot. Thursday, 
May 14th, orders came to pack up, and at ten that 
morning we marched out, bag and baggage, on 
the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, and down the track 
towards Portsmouth. The sun poured its piercing rays 
down upon us, the dust rose in clouds around us, and the 
march soon became awful. 

Halting at times, we sought the shade of the woods near 
by, and wondered why it was we should travel in the 
heat of the day, when we could accomplish twice the dis- 
tance in the cool hours of the night in much the same time, 
and with ten times as much comfort. 

We had accomplished about five miles of our journey, 
when we were overtaken by a heavy thunder shower, which 
drenched us to the skin, but cooled the air, laid the dust, 
and made the march much more agreeable. When about 
ten miles had been tallied, w^e turned in to the right of the 
railroad, and about a mile farther on encamped. 

Hastily stripping our weary shoulders of their heavy load 
of knapsack, haversack, canteen, gun, and equipments, we 
put about to build a fire and cook our scanty supper, and 
after gathering a few armfuls of pine boughs for a bed, we 
turned in for the night. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 20I 

As the cheerful music of the reveille sounded through the 
groves and fields next morning, w^e reluctantly turned out 
to roll-call, and w^ere then ordered to lay out our camp for 
permanent occupation. After breakfast we set at w^ork, and 
with axes cut down poles, crotches, etc., suitable to raise 
our tents three feet from the ground, and to provide them 
with bunks to sleep in. 

We labored hard all that hot day, and by night had the 
prettiest camp we had seen in a long time. Now we could 
rest from our weary campaign of the last two months, and 
feeling that we stood a pretty fair sight of enjoying camp- 
life for some time, we went to sleep that night happy and 
contented, in our new quarters, so nice and cool. 

The next morning we busied ourselves in putting the finish- 
ing touches on our new quarters, when suddenly "Pack up, 
pack up," was heard, " Strike tents, and get into line here." 
Alas ! our beautiful camp. All our labor and pains-taking 
had been in vain. Down came our arbors and tents, etc., 
in a hurry, and with a vengeance, and we shouldered our 
baggage and started on again about noon, the hottest part 
of the day, of course. Striking the railroad, we headed 
towards Portsmouth again, and marching along at route- 
step through the heat and dust of that sultry afternoon, sun- 
set found us at a point four miles distant from Portsmouth, 
when we turned in to the left of the railroad and encamped. 

Here we were informed we should at last find rest for 
the soles of our feet. A new line of fortifications were to 
be constructed for the defense of Norfolk and Portsmouth 
at this place, extending from the Nansemond River to a 
point beyond the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. On 
the strength of this information, we began to prepare our 
quarters for a permanent residence. We built up our tents 
three feet high, having an arbor in front, supplied with rude 
seats and a table, and soon were taking as much comfort 
as was permitted a soldier to take in this hot country. 



202 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Soon after our quarters were completed we began work, 
throwing up a large fort on the south side of the railroad and 
near our camp. On account of the excessive heat, (the ther- 
mometer dancing around between eighty and 120 degrees 
most of the time,) we could labor but four hours per day, 
from five in the morning^ until nine. 

The rest of the day was spent lying under the shade of 
our brush arbors, or strolling about among the neighboring- 
farms, picking up what we could to replenish our larder. 

Blackberries were very plenty and large. Night expe- 
ditions were organized for raids upon the neighboring 
potato fields, which would go out after roll-call, at 9 
o'clock and return about midnight, loaded down with sweet 
potatoes and other vegetables ; and though the old farmers 
would watch their fields all night with dog and gun, yet the 
boys generally outwitted the old men and got what the}^ went 
after without being discovered. 

Every comrade who was there will call to mind these 
happy days of our soldier life, and the many comical scrapes 
we got into while we lay here in camp, but by which we 
were enabled to live on the fat of the land at the expense of 
these old "bushwhackers," who would gladly have blown us 
out of existence if they could, for the equal benefit of their 
crops and their beloved Confederacy. 

June 4th we began to build a line of stockade, extending 
from the fort towards the river, and just in rear of our camp. 
Piles were cut in the woods near by, sharpened at one end, 
hauled in, and planted in the ground so that the top reached 
a height of eight feet from the ground. They were set 
snug and close together, and crevices or loop-holes were 
made between them, about three feet apart, and at the 
height of four feet, for the use of the infantry, to fire 
throuo^h. 

This we thoufiht at the time to be an insurmountable bar- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 203 

rier to an enemy, presenting, as it did, to its defenders the 
advantage of being almost impervious to bullets, while we 
could maintain a constant fire upon the enemy through the 
loop-holes. But in our after experience, we learned how 
weak and futile they would have proved had we been 
attacked by the enemy in force. Though we had seen 
many long months of hard service in front of the enemy, 
we had much of the science of war yet to learn. 

Wednesday, June 17th, we celebrated the battle of Bunker 
Hill by a flag raising in camp. A high flag-staff had been 
erected on the parade in front of Colonel Steere's head- 
quarters, a large and beautiful flag provided, the services 
of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Band brought into requi- 
sition, and amid much cheering, music, and enthusiasm, the 
old Stars and Stripes floated out above us. After the exer- 
cises were over, at the invitation of Colonel Steere, we 
marched up to his quarters, and received a treat of lemon- 
ade, very nice, but without the " stick." It was no less ac- 
ceptable, however, and giving old Father Steere three rous- 
ing cheers, we went back to our quarters to take up the 
usual duties of the day. 

Preparations now began for another move. The work 
on the fortifications was pushed forward with the greatest 
celerit}', and extra forces of troops and contrabands were 
put to work along the line to hurry up matters. 

On the 19th, the first gun, a heavy thirty-two pound siege 
gun, was mounted on the fort, and others soon occupied 
their respective places. 

On the 2ist we received marching orders. At midnight 
the long roll was beat, and arousing from our slumbers, in 
response to its alarm, we packed our knapsacks, filled our 
haversacks with three days' rations, and leaving our tents 
standing until we came back under care of the convalesc- 
ents and the usual force of non-combatants, — who some- 



204 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

how or Other, always avoid a move of this kind, — we started 
down the railroad towards Portsmouth. 

We were well provided with shelter tents and everything 
for a raid in some direction. General Lee had begun his 
annual excursion into Maryland and Pennsylvania, and was 
now on his way up the Shenandoah Valley, followed by the 
Army of the Potomac on his right flank. For this grand 
invasion, he had gathered all his available troops this side 
of South Carolina, determined to pursue his march even to 
and possibly over the walls of Washington, Baltimore, and 
Philadelphia, leaving but a small force to garrison the rebel 
capital, and a long line of communications in the rear reach- 
ing from Harper's Ferry to Richmond. It was decided to 
move our little army up the peninsula, to cut his communica- 
tions, threaten Richmond, and, if possible, oblige him to 
weaken his forces or stay his movements, thus giving the 
Army of the Potomac time and advantage. 

We arrived in Portsmouth at half-past three the next 
morning, and together with the Thirteenth New Hampshire 
Regiment, went aboard the ^\.^7iVi\^xMa^lcLeaf. After we 
were all aboard, the lines were cast ofl:' and we steamed 
away, crossing Hampton Roads, out past Fort Monroe, and 
up the Chesapeake to York River, and landed at Yorktown 
about ten in the morning. 

As this was a place of some importance during the Rev- 
olutionary War, as well as the present great Rebellion, it 
deserves more than a passing notice. Situated upon a high 
bluff that rises abruptly from the river, — commanding a 
wide view of the river and bay be3^ond, and being easy of 
access to our troops inland, a better place for a base of our 
operations could not well be found. 

Here it was that Cornwallis surrendered to General 
Washington. The house which the former used as his 
headquarters was still standing, and also the tree under 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 205 

which it was said he deHvered up his sword. (How is it 
that a big surrender is always made under a tree?) These 
were objects of great interest to our troops, who looked upon 
them with reverent awe. The old line of works thrown 
up by our forefathers of that memorable campaign that de- 
cided the fate of our young Republic, was still visible in 
places, though almost worn level by the ravages of time. 

The spring where our patriot fathers quenched their thirst 
still ran as clearly and fell as cheerfully to supply our army 
with its never failing treasure of pure, sweet water. What 
patriotic sentiments animated our hearts as we gazed upon 
these time-worn relics of our country's struggle for liberty and 
independence. Here had our forefathers, " though few in 
number, but of dauntless courage and unwavering constancy 
to their cause and to each other," toiled and fought day and 
night upon this very ground, to complete that beautiful 
structure of universal liberty which we, their sons, in their 
footsteps and over their decaying ashes, were now striving 
to perpetuate. 

But our enemies of to-day were heavier in numbers and 
better versed in the science of war, and had built for the 
defense of this place, a long and intricate line of intrench- 
ments extending entirely across the peninsula from the York 
to the James rivers , and at each end had heaped up batteries 
and forts of immense strength. 

"Special attention had been given them by the rebels from 
the outset of the war. They knew it was the most direct 
route to Richmond and hence had made them, as they sup- 
posed, impregnable. Mounted with heavy guns, fronted 
with rifle-pits, and easy of access to the whole rebel force in 
Virginia, they presented a most formidable appearance." 

Here were also the works that McClellan had built to 
facilitate his contemplated assault, a move which the evac- 
uation of the place by the rebels fortunately made unnec- 



206 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

cessary. Across the river lay the town of Gloucester, 
also strongly fortified by the rebels. 

Troops were arriving from Norfolk, Portsmouth, and 
Fort Monroe every day, and going into camp around us. 
The Eleventh Rhode Island Regiment arrived a couple of 
days later, and encamped near by. Their nine months' 
service was about ended, and they were anxious to return 
home before this general move up the peninsula should be- 
gin. It would not do, however, to let them go before giv- 
ing them a taste of " peninsular dust," and the next morn- 
ing they were routed out earlier than usual, packed up, and 
started on the road towards Williamsburg. It was an aw- 
ful hot day, and about lo o'clock in the morning we saw 
them come straggling back to camp in squads of two to six, 
covered with dust, sweating, puffing, and blowing, bewail- 
ing their hard fate, and determined not to march another 
step for Uncle Sam or any other man, unless it was toward 
home. Towards night the remainder of the regiment ar- 
rived back in camp, and a few days after embarked for 
home. 

Thursday, June 25th, we again received marching or- 
ders. At three the next morning reveille was sounded, we 
broke camp, and marching down to the landing, embarked 
on board the steamer Peconic. At seven we left the wharf 
and sailed up the York River, in company with the rest of 
the troops, and landed at the White House, on the Pamun- 
key River, at about 5 o'clock that afternoon. Marching 
up about half a mile from the river, we encamped near the 
Richmond and York River Railroad. 

This place was made famous as a base of supplies for 
McClellan's army during the disastrous Peninsular Cam- 
paign. Government buildings had been erected and large 
amounts of forage, subsistence, and ammunition were 
stored here, until the retreat necessitated their destruction. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 207 

During the general destruction of stores at that time, the 
long and high trestle bridge that crossed the river near by 
was fired by our troops, and a railroad train loaded with 
supplies was started and sent along at full speed towards 
the burning bridge, reaching which, the whole train 
plunged through to the river below. The bridge had been 
repaired since by the rebels, but the wreck of the locomo- 
tive and train still lay below it in the stream. The rail- 
road track had been torn up, but was speedily restored to 
its former uses. 

Having received orders to get ready to move again, on 
Wednesday, July ist, at six in the morning we started, 
crossed the railroad bridge, and struck off on the turnpike 
road. There were in this command about ten or twelve 
thousand troops, including cavalry, artillery, and infantry, 
under command of Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix, Gen. Geo. W. 
Getty second in command of the expedidon. 

The day was extremely hot, and the boys, unable to bear 
any extra load on their shoulders through the hot sand and 
•dust, began at each successive halt to relieve their knap- 
sacks of all superfluous matter. First, overcoats or blan- 
kets were cast away ; then followed clothing of various 
kinds, and for miles the road was strewn with these articles, 
which proved a god-send to the colored people, poor whites, 
or " bushwackers," residing along the line of march, who 
gathered them up after we had passed by. 

At evening we reached a place called King William's 
Court House, and passing on about a mile the other side, 
halted, and encamped for the night. There was a large 
field close by, filled with stacks of straw, and the men of 
the whole command at once made a raid on it, each one 
carrying a bundle to his quarters, for a bed to lie on. 

The owner of the straw entered a complaint against us 
to the general. That officer sent orders to each regiment 



208 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

to return the straw to the place where they found it, which 
was done, and piled up in one vast heap, in the middle of 
the field. But before morning some of our comrades, in 
revenge for the loss of their bed, set the pile on fire, and it 
was all burnt up, much to the satisfaction of the whole force, 
and the great chagrin of the owner. Pigs, sheep, and 
poultry were in abundance here, and many a camp kettle 
that night contained a savor}- mess of provisions. 

At three the next morning we were routed out, and had 
scarcely time to cook our coffee w^hen "Fall in " was heard, 
and again we took the dusty road. The blood-red sun, as 
it rose in the heavens, shed its fiercest rays upon us. Man 
and beast suffered alike, but still the long line stretched on 
through heat and dust, scarcely halting five minutes at a 
time for rest, till in many cases, the men gave way under 
the excessive heat and fatigue, and began to fall out of the 
line, hide in the woods from the searching eyes of the rear 
guard, and follow up in the cool of the day as they were 
best able. 

Several houses were plundered and set on fire by parties 
of stragglers, whose only excuse for loitering behind was 
mischief. That night w^e halted within three miles of 
Newcastle, and only fifteen from Richmond, in a direct 
line. 

Scarcely had we got asleep, after our weary day's jour- 
ney, when at half past two in the morning, we were again 
turned out to resume our march. The line w^as formed 
without giving us any chance to make coffee, and there 
we stood in line for three hours with all our traps buckled 
on, waiting the order to "Forward." 

At 6 o'clock it was given, and we stretched out on the 
road again. 

The suflTering of the day before was now renewed and 
intensified. The heat was more severe, not a breath of air 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 209 

was stirring, the dust kicked up by our feet hung in sti- 
fling clouds around us, and the line moved quicker than 
yesterday. Before noon it was evident that whoever led 
the line knew not, or cared not, for the condition of his 
troops following. Scores upon scores fell out, unable 
to proceed a step further without rest. Some of the poor 
fellows traveled as long as they could endure the heat, 
and then dropped dead in their tracks. Six of the Tenth 
New Hampshire were reported to have died that day from 
sunstroke. I myself counted over lifty cases of sunstroke 
in the space of a few miles, but whether they proved fatal 
or not, I never knew. 

Between two and three thousand men were straggling 
along the road, unable to keep pace with the line, and in 
some cases whole companies left the line and filed into 
the adjacent woods to rest, and wait for the cool hours 
of evening to resume their terrible march. The line at 
last halted on the road, within eight miles of Richmond. 

We now expected to move directly on the rebel capital. 
What was to hinder us? Nothing but a small force of 
provost guards, 1,500 in number, over whose works we 
could easily and gladly advance. 

Everything was reported to be in a state of alarm and 
confusion in the city, owing to its defenseless condition and 
the near presence of our army. Thousands of poor pris- 
oners at Libby, Castle Thunder, and Belle Isle were wait- 
ing and hoping for our appearance on the morrow. To lib- 
erate them, and escort them back down the peninsula would 
be well worthy our attempt, and we talked the matter over 
around our camp-fires that night, forgetting our tired limbs 
and blistered feet in our eagerness to get within the walls 
of that rebel city, if for only an hour. 

The band of our brigade, inspired by the hopes of the 
coming day, cheered us with its sweet music, and we fell 
asleep to dream out our plans for the capture of Richmond. 

14 



2IO FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The next morning we cheerfully arose, ate our frugal 
breakfast, and started with a light step out on the road to- 
wards the rebel city. A guide-board was passed which read 
" Seven miles to Richmond,'" 2ind our spirits rose accordingly. 
About a mile farther, and we observed the head of the line 
leading oft' at right angles with the road, in a northerly di- 
rection. What did that mean? Perhaps we were going 
into line of battle, and advance the rest of the way in that 
manner, by brigade or regimental front. 

But no, the line kept on, still going northward ; on, on, 
still azuay from the rebel stronghold, still away from our 
thousands of prisoners, until we were obliged to believe that 
this war had not lasted long enough to suit some people. 
Not enough money had been made out of it. Not enough 
military reputation had been acquired by some shoulder- 
strapped authority. Not enough blood had been spilt to sat- 
isfy some one, and therefore, even if our leader was ready 
enough to make the attempt, he had no orders to enter Rich- 
mond, only to threaten it. This was the case several times 
during the war. 

The severity of heat and travel were again experienced 
as on the two former da3^s, but night found us atPamunkey 
River bridge, and there we halted. A battery of artillery 
and a force of infantry and cavalry was now sent ahead to 
Hanover Junction, a short distance away, at the intersection 
of the Virginia Central, and Richmond and Fredericksburg 
railroads to destroy the track, etc. 

Having accomplished their object with but little resistance, 
they returned before morning, and after burning the bridge 
over the river, we started on the back track, halting at a dis- 
tance of five miles. 

At 5 o'clock in the afternoon we fell in line again and re- 
sumed our retreat. It was decided, for the benefit of the 
troops and to conceal our movements from the enemy 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 211 

(who could easily discern them by the clouds of du,st ac- 
companying us), to march during the cool hours of the 
night. This was a wise plan, and if it had been observed 
during our advance would have saved valuable lives and 
much suffering and sickness. 

At five we started, and marched mile upon mile without 
a halt. Horses dropped dead now from excessive fatigue, 
but still the men kept on, their hats in their hands, the night 
air keeping their heads cool, until about twelve miles had 
been passed, when the bugles sounded the " halt and rest." 

And now another source of suffering presented itself. No 
water was to be found. Instead of sitting down and rest- 
ing their aching limbs during the halt, most of the men were 
chasing over the hills and fields in search of water to quench 
their burning thirst, engendered by the dust of the road. 

Every canteen was dry. All the brooks were dry. No 
large stream or pond could be found. At last an old well 
was discovered, and was speedily surrounded by a crowd of 
men, struggling, fighting, climbing over one another's 
backs, for a chance to get a drink. 

Meanwhile the line started on again, and marching about 
six miles farther went into bivouac. 

A short rest, and the next morning saw us again on 
the road. But this day's march was easier, and at night 
we reached King William's Court House. As we crossed 
the hills that day we could plainly observe a huge cloud of 
dust rising along the roads behind us, about ten miles away, 
marking the course of a large body of rebel cavalry who 
were following us ; but our retreat had been too rapid for 
them and our rear guard suffered no attack. 

As it had been raining all the afternoon, we were forced 
to lie on the wet ground that night. The next morning at 
sunrise, we again started for the White House, and arrived 
there about noon and encamped. But our rest here was of 



212 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

short duration and the very next day we again took the road 
to Yorktown. This road, part of the way, was a corduroy, 
built by McClellan's forces during the Peninsular Campaign, 
and was not in the best condition for traveling. 

Soon after we started, a heavy shower of rain fell, and in 
fifteen minutes had converted our road into a series of pond 
holes, broken logs, and mud, through which we floundered 
and stuck, and swore, and struggled on for about ten miles, 
when we halted and encamped. The artillery sank to the 
hubs. Wagons got set fast in these holes, and some were 
obliged to be left and set on fire. By night most of the 
teams had got through the slough, and we were ready to 
start on again. 

The next day, Thursday, the sun rose bright and warm, 
the mud speedily dried up, and we paced along the road 
till twenty miles had been passed, and again halted for the 
night. Tired and footsore, it was with great reluctance, 
and stiffened limbs, that we again took the road on the fol- 
lowing morning. We soon reached and passed through 
Williamsburg. 

"This town is twelve miles west of Yorktown and fifty- 
eight from Ricljmond, and is situated in the midst of a 
plain, nearly midway in the peninsula. Two roads lead 
to it from Yorktown, one near the York and the other near 
the James River, these rivers being about ten miles apart 
at this place." It was the scene of a heavy battle soon 
after the evacuation of Yorktown. 

Passing through the place and across the battle-field, we 
kept on our weary way until evening, arriving at York- 
town at 6 o'clock, and camped in the same place we occu- 
pied before leaving here. 

Transportation was now provided for all those who, by 
reason of sore feet or sickness, were unable to march any 
farther. Quite a number from each regiment but ours 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 213 

was permitted to avail themselves of this opportunity, but 
for some reason oitr sick and lame were obliged to foot it 
the remainder of the march. A few of them, notwith- 
standing orders to the contrary, fell out soon after we 
started, and reporting to the officer on duty at the boat, 
were promptly furnished with transportation and food to 
Portsmouth, arriving at our old camp at the same time as 
the regiment. 

The rest of the line plodded along the road again, head- 
ing for Fortress Monroe. Arriving there, they took steamer 
for Portsmouth and arrived in camp Monday evening, July 
13th. We had been gone from camp twenty-two days, 
had marched from the White House to Hanover Junction, 
and back to Fortress Monroe, a distance of 156 miles, in ten 
days, on the road, under the piercing rays of a boiling hot 
sun, through clouds of dust, with scarcely a good square 
meal at any time, and with but little rest or refreshment. 

We were pretty well tired out, and the next day were 
allowed "off duty " and to lie still in camp and rest, which 
privilege was duly improved by all of us. 

We had come back with a great deal lighter burden 
than when we started, not having any clothes but those we 
had on, and no blanket or overcoat, having been forced 
to cast them away in order to relieve our shoulders of every 
ounce of extra weight possible. But fortunately for us, 
we found means to procure others in their place without 
expense a day or two after our arrival back in camp, a full 
account of which will be found in the next chapter. 



214 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

July, 1S63. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



BOWERS HILL. 



A 



FTER a few days' rest, we received orders to move 
camp inside the line of stockade. A regiment of 
New York troops, lately arrived out, having held 
this line while we were upon our late raid, now received 
orders to march. 

They were well provided with all the comforts they could 
stow away in their knapsacks, and consequently the latter 
were of prodigious size. As during our late exhaustive 
march on the peninsula we had been forced to part with most 
of our worldly goods, and were in great need of blankets, 
overcoats, and clothing, we thought it advisable to follow up 
these huge knapsacks a mile or two, confident the bearers 
thereof would soon have to lighten them owing to the ex- 
treme heat of the day. 

Before they left the camp we passed around among them, 
begging all the extra blankets, etc., that they could not 
carry, but they being somewhat fresh in the service and its 
requirements, supposed they were not to go far, and were 
not very willing to give away their traps. 

It was amusing to witness the heavy loads they provided 
for themselves. The following is a summary of one man's 
load : In and upon his knapsack were closely packed one 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 215 

overcoat, two woolen blankets, one rubber blanket, one 
shelter tent, one dress coat, one pair of pants, undershirt 
and drawers, fatigue cap, and two pairs of socks. His 
haversack contained three days' rations of meat and hard- 
tack, vinegar, box of sugar and coffee, box of salt and pep- 
per, can of condensed milk, butter, cheese, and cookies, tin 
plate, cup, etc. Attached to his knapsack was a large fry- 
ing-pan. 

This man was the cobbler of his company, and an extra 
haversack contained leather, shoe hammer, and kit of tools. 
We watched him get ready to start. He had packed every- 
thing snugly away but his lapstone. This indispensable 
article was a good-sized pavement of perhaps five or six 
pounds. As rocks was a scarce article in this part of the 
country, it would not do to leave that. After seeking in 
vain for a place to stow it away, he appealed to several of 
his comrades to carry it for him "just the lingth of a 
moile, divil a bit more," promising to tap their shoes free of 
charge forever after. 

But all his persuasions were in vain, and at length came 
the order " Fall in, men." 

As a last resort, he accosted the captain's colored servant 
with a smiling "Wad ye plaze, now," but that individual 
replied onl}'- by an indignant roll of his eyes, and walked 
away. 

" To the divil wid yez all, thin," Pat exclaimed, " I'll 
carry it meself," and emptying his haversack of a third of 
his rations of hard-tack, he thrust in the heavy stone, and 
shouldering his huge knapsack by the aid of a comrade, 
he grasped his rifle, and took his place in line. 

Extraordinary as this may seem, it is no exaggeration, 
and with the exception of his lapstone and kit of tools, he 
carried no more than most of the comrades of his regiment. 

They at length moved off the field and down the road 



2l6 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

leading to Portsmouth. Quite a number of our boys fol- 
lowed them, and not in vain, for attheir first halt, some two 
miles from camp, many of them lightened their heavy loads, 
and willingly gave away blankets, etc., with which our 
boys soon returned to camp. We were thus supplied with 
the much needed " dry goods," and could furnish our quar- 
ters with good beds and covering. 

Wednesday, July 15th, was occupied in moving our camp 
inside of the line of stockade and fixing up our quarters per- 
manently, as it was understood we should finish and garri- 
son this line of works. This work occupied several days, at 
the end of which we again took our shovels and picks for 
labor on the fortifications. During our late raid a large 
force of contrabands had been at work on the fort near the 
railroad, and had nearly finished it. 

Our brigade was therefore detailed to fell the woods for 
a space of three or four hundred yards in front of the line, 
and to build a line of breast-works running from the afore- 
said fort southeasterly some two miles, and connecting with 
Fort Reno on our left. 

Shouldering our axes each morning, we marched out to 
the edge of the woods, and soon the cheerful click of the 
axe blades, and the swaying and crashing fall of the tall pine 
trees, attested the result of our labors. These great trees 
were allowed to remain as they fell, in order to impede the 
advance of an enemy, and lay him open to a scathing fire 
from our works. 

Wednesday, July 29th, the fort was completed, the flag 
hoisted thereon, and the heavy guns of its armament woke 
the echoes in the old Dismal Swamp and surrounding coun- 
try as they saluted the name of Fort Rodman, in honor of 
our late colonel and general. 

The fort mounted eleven guns of large calibre, and was 
garrisoned by a regiment of heavy artillery. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 21'J 

The hot season was now upon us, but with the advantage 
of our cool, shady arbors over and in front of our tents, we 
managed to live quite comfortably. What, with the usual 
routine of inspections, guard duty, chopping, and building 
breast-works, the time passed quickly on, and brought us to 
September 6th, the beginning of my third year in the armies 
of the United States. 

Upon this day we were mustered for general inspection 
and review, after which we were assigned our position in 
line of battle at the breast-works, and received orders bear- 
ing upon the same, of which the following is a synopsis : 

"In case of an attack a signal gun will be fired from 
either fort. The troops commanding the line will immedi- 
ately muster at their respective stations in line of battle at 
the works, without any delay or waiting for the usual com- 
pany formation in camp, there to receive further orders." 

Thus, if in the dead of the night, or at any time, the sig- 
nal should be fired, every man would at once repair to his 
position by the shortest route and in the quickest time pos- 
sible. 

Our regiment was first assigned to the defense of Fort 
Rodman ; but after its occupation by the heavy artillery, 
we were posted along the line of breast-works to the left of 
the fort. 

The line of works, now nearly completed, presented an 
effectual barrier to an advancing enemy, but yet was devoid 
of many obstructions in its front that subsequent experience 
in fortifying deemed necessary. 

Forts of large size, and mounting guns of huge calibre,, 
were stationed every mile or so, with numerous redans, or 
" baby forts," interspersed between, for the accommodation 
of field artillery ; and the breast-works connecting these 
were solidly made, and protected in front by a line of 
abatis, in which an enemy would get seriously entangled 



2l8 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

in an attempt to advance against us, while constantly receiv- 
ing a galling fire from our works. 

We now expected an opportunity of testing our works in 
earnest, as we received a report of the advance of a large 
rebel force near Suffolk, in our front. Work was pushed 
forward, strengthening the lines, night and day, and get- 
ting everything ready to give them a warm reception 
should they conclude to pay us a visit ; but they moved off 
in another direction, thus saving us a little ammunition, and 
themselves the opportunity of getting hurt somewhat. 

And now an enemy of a different stamp made its appear- 
ance in our midst. Diphtheria prevailed. Many were af- 
flicted with sore throats, and several died of this fell dis- 
ease. 

Wednesday, August 26th, Companies I and D were de- 
tailed to garrison the first two redans at the right of Fort 
Rodman. 

Thursday, August 27th, our first detail of eighty men and 
officers, went out to a place called Bowers' Hill on picket 
duty. As this is one of the conspicuous places in our sol- 
dier life, perhaps it will be well to give a short description 
of it. 

Bowers' Hill, a barely preceptible rise of ground, was 
situated on the line of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, 
about three and a half miles in front of our camp, and about 
seven miles from Portsmouth, the terminus of the road. The 
village was composed of a few straggling farm-houses, at 
the junction of a road, or cart path, running at right angles 
with the railroad, and extending from the river Nansemond 
to the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. On this cross-road 
our picket lines were established. 

At the extreme right of the line, some one and a half 
miles from the railroad, stood an old mill on the banks of 
a stream, now nearly dry. Just beyond were located a few 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 219 

houses, mostly of the better class of farmers. This place 
was called Wright's Mills. It was pleasantly situated, but 
all of the neighbors were of a thorough rebel stripe, devoted 
to agriculture through the day, and Confedcraculhire dur- 
ing the night, or in other words, "bushwhackers." At the 
old mill were stationed a lieutenant, sergeant, two corporals, 
and fourteen men, with orders to guard all approaches to 
the mill bridge, and allow no one to go out beyond the post 
in the day time without a proper pass, and in no case at 
night. 

There was but one post between this and the railroad. 
On the railroad, occupying log huts for barracks, was sta- 
tioned the reserve picket, composed of the officer of the 
day, officer of the guard, lieutenant, sergeant, two corporals, 
and about thirty men. To the left of the railroad, still follow- 
ing the cart path, the pickets were stationed about every 
eighth of a mile, from three to five men on each post, ex- 
tending nearly to the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, two 
miles away. 

In front of the reserve, about a mile out on the railroad, 
was stationed the outpost, consisting of lieutenant, sergeant, 
two corporals, and sixteen men. These held possession 
of a small piece of open land, just at the edge of the great 
swamp, and took up their quarters in a couple of log shan- 
ties, formerly occupied by some poor white or colored 
" pusson." 

Still further in front, some three or four miles, a line of 
cavalry outposts was stationed, to warn us in case of an 
advance or movement in our front. And now that our 
picket line is established, we will go back to camp and 
follow up events in their proper order. 

Monday, September 28th, it was decided to move camp 
once more, that we might be nearer our place in line of 
battle at the works. A place was selected across the rail- 



220 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

road, nearly opposite our present camp, and but for its prox- 
imity to a neighboring mud-hole, might have been a very 
good place to locate. The ground being duly staked out 
and cleared of brush, etc.; Wednesday, October 7th, we 
moved across, and then began another week's work of 
sawing, hammering, and digging, to put it in proper shape. 
As the season was now well advanced and the rays of the 
sun somewhat less piercing, the necessity of brush arbors, 
etc., had passed, and winter quarters were made by board- 
ing up a foundation for our tents four feet high, and pro- 
viding them with fire-places and chimneys made of sticks 
and mud, and topped off with an old barrel. Bunks were 
fitted up inside the tent, and very comfortable quarters 
were thus provided against the cold blasts of the coming 
winter. 

Target practice by the garrison at the different forts was 
indulged in daily, and at such times we were required to 
muster at the works and practice with blank cartridge, 
blazing away as if our lives depended upon it, at the invis- 
ible enemy in our front. This, while it accustomed us to 
our expected work in case of an attack, also furnished us 
with the agreeable ( ?) task of washing our rifles every 
day, and was appreciated accordingly. 

Details of pickets were regularly sent up to Bowers' 
Hill. The writer's experience in this duty may be 
summed up by relating an incident or two that occurred 
during our turn of picket at this place. Arrived at our 
reserve post one fine morning, after our three-mile tramp 
from headquarters, it was my fortune to be among those 
selected to relieve the post on the extreme right, at 
Wright's Mills. Shouldering our rifles, we again moved 
on for another mile and a half to our post, and relieved the 
old guard waiting to receive us, after which we began 
preparations to spend the next three days on duty here as 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 221 

comfortably as possible. One man was posted on the 
bridge and another at the forks of the road just beyond. 
At this post, No. 2, was a junction of two roads, one tak- 
ing a course nearly due west and the other southwest, 
both leading off into the countr}^ beyond. 

Our first day passed off quietly. We were kept quite 
busy examining passes for all who were obliged to pass our 
lines, and the contents of their various vehicles. This class 
of people were mostly old farmers residing in the vicin- 
ity, and who would go into the markets of Portsmouth 
and Norfolk to dispose of their farm truck. 

It was necessary for them to obtain permission of the 
officer in charge of the reserve post to pass through the 
lines. That officer, after searching their teams for mail- 
matter or anything " contraband of war," and, if things 
looked suspicious, their clothes also, — for these people 
would not scruple to convey letters or dispatches through 
the lines if they found a way to do it, — would grant them 
a written pass. At our outpost they would again be sub- 
jected to a thorough search, and if all right, could go on to 
their homes. After sunset no one was allowed to pass out- 
side the lines. Understanding this, they would all be over 
by the middle of the afternoon. 

During the night an additional post was stationed in our 
rear a short distance, at a little cart path leading off into 
the forest. Besides serving as a protection against a flank 
attack, it gave us a chance to turn out to receive the grand 
rounds, they being obliged to pass that sentry before reach- 
ing us. The first night of my picket duty here I met with 
an adventure which brought me in an unpleasant contact 
with the grand rounds. During the visit of the officer of 
the day that morning, (a major, I believe, of some Massa- 
chusetts regiment lately arrived from a long encampment 
in North Carolina,) we observed that he was about "three 



222 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

sheets in the wind," and that by the time of his coming at 
midnight on the grand rounds, would doubtless be full (or 
fool) enough to attempt some kind of "monkey work" 
with the pickets. 

It was m}^ fortune to be corporal of the relief at the hour 
he made his appearance, shortly before midnight. He was 
accompanied by a sergeant only, and doubtless had shared 
his " commissary" with him, as both were making consid- 
erable noise coming down the road. Reaching our sentry 
in the rear he was challenged as usual, and passed without 
any trouble, and on they came at a sharp canter towards 
us. As corporal of the relief, it was my duty to challenge 
all comers at night, and stepping to the middle of the road, 
I sang out, " Halt ! Who goes there?" " Grand rounds.'' 
came the reply. " Halt, grand rounds ! advance, sergeant, 
and give the countersign." And now through the gloom I 
descried suspicious movements on the part of both horse- 
men, and plainly heard the officer say in a low tone to the 
sergeant, "Run him down, sergeant; run the d — n fool 
down." But I was ready for him. Down came the ser- 
geant, spurring his horse to a dead run. " Halt ! " I cried. 
" Halt, or I'll fire ! " but before I could bring my rifle to an 
aim, he was close upon me. Coming to a " charge bayo- 
net," I gave a quick thrust at him across the horse's neck. 
The horse reared and sprang to one side, and his rider fell 
to the ground. In an instant I was upon him, and de- 
manded his surrender. More frightened than hurt, he 
arose from the ground and gave me the countersign. 
"What in the d — 1 were you trying to do, sergeant?" I 
asked. " I was ordered to run over you," he replied. 
" Think yourself lucky you got off so easy," I remarked, 
" and don't try that on any one again." I then ordered 
"Advance, rounds," and took my place in line with the 
rest of the guard, who had watched the whole proceeding. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 223 

The officer came forward to the post, reeling in his sad- 
dle, and overflowing with rage at being baffled in his little 
game, and, of course, had much fault to find with every 
body. He was taken to task by our lieutenant, and could 
not deny that his orders to the sergeant to run the post were 
illegal, and would not have been given in a sober state of 
mind, and after a great deal of swearing and blustering, he 
rode off. The next morning a messenger from the reserve 
post told us that he tried the same thing on the left of our 
lines and was fired at twice, but with good luck had escaped 
getting hurt. But he found that the Fourth Rhode Island 
was too old in the service to be trifled with, and it is safe to 
say that he never cared to trouble our pickets again. The 
rest of the night passed off without further adventure, and 
also the next day. 

The next night about ii o'clock, two of our cavalry pick- 
ets came in from the front on a dead run, and reaching our 
post they reported that a large body of rebel cavalry was 
advancing in this direction, about five miles away. The 
rest of our cavalry pickets were slowly falling back towards 
us, observing the enemy's movements. 

Our lieutenant immediately dispatched one of the cavalry- 
men to the reserve post for orders and reenforcements, and 
we advanced and formed a skirmish line just beyond our 
Post No. 2, crossing the road on which the rebels were ad- 
vancing. 

All prepared for the emergency, we lay behind a fence 
peering out through the darkness to catch the first glimpse 
of our retreating cavalry pickets and their rebel followers. 
For an hour we lay here. The night was chilly. The 
stars looked down in silent majesty from on high, and save 
the low murmuring of the stream in rear of us at the 
bridge, no sound was heard to break the stillness of the 
midnight hour. 



224 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

At length we heard the tramp of men and horses in our 
rear, denoting the arrival of ourreenforcements, and our two 
cavalry-men silently advanced out on the road to the front, 
and were soon out of sight. We at length descried a party 
of horsemen approaching, who, after answering the chal- 
lenge of our sentry, proved to be a party of our cavalry 
pickets. They reported the enemy's cavalry as having 
turned off in another direction, and we should probably 
hear no more from them ; and with this information the 
necessity for our line of battle ceased, the troops from the 
reserve retired to their post, the cavalry left us for the 
front again, and our pickets resumed their former station 
and watch. Not a shot had been fired, and the enem}^ 
probably upon a scout or foraging expedition, had not 
dreamed how near they had come to our lines, or how 
many Yankee eyes had been watching all their movements. 
Nothing further occurred during our stay here worth re- 
cording, and at the end of our three days' campaign we 
were duly relieved and marched back to camp. 

During a subsequent tour of picket duty on this line, an- 
other incident occurred to show, in this case, how easy 
a body of men may be deceived in the night while watch- 
ing closely for an enemy. 

This time I was one of a party consisting of lieutenant, 
sergeant, two corporals, and sixteen men, and was sent out 
to relieve the out-post on the railroad. Here the track 
crossed an arm of the great Dismal Swamp. On one side 
of the road-bed stood two log huts, the former homes of 
some poor white or colored people. These huts were used 
by us for quarters. Near to the track stood a small shed. 
In front, upon the track. Post No. i was located. About a 
hundred yards in the rear of Post No. i there was a bridge 
supporting the track over a small stream. At this place 
Post No. 2 was stationed. On the other side of the track. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 225 

opposite the log huts, a strip of thick woodland extended 
into the recesses of the Great Swamp. For the first hun- 
dred yards or so in this direction the ground was solid and 
dry. Here we came to a cart path running parallel with 
the railroad, and crossing it beyond the bridge. Beyond 
the cart path was a wilderness of water, trees of giant 
growth, interlaced with vines and rank vegetation, extend- 
ing back for miles, 

"Thro' tangled juniper, beds of weeds, 
Thro' moss and fern, where the serpent feeds, 
And man's foot ne'er trod before." 

Wild beasts, panthers, bears, serpents of all kinds and 
some of enormous size, wild birds, and every creeping 
thing that finds a home in this climate, here obtained 
their livelihood, untroubled by their common enemy — man. 
In the still hours of our night watch, on the edge of this 
dark wilderness, we could plainly hear the howls and 
screeches of these wild denizens of the forest, holding their 
nightly revels far away in the deep recesses of the swamp. 
We could sometimes see snakes twining among the 
branches of the trees near the outskirts of the swamp, and 
black snakes from ten to fifteen feet long; are often met 
with in the low marshes near the border. These are com- 
paratively harmless, gliding noiselessly away at the ap- 
proach of a footstep. The fatal hoop-snake is an inhabitant 
of this region, together with its confrere, the copper-head, 
one of which we encountered in our camp and killed. 

Scorpion lizards are very plentiful, and these little fel- 
lows were often found under the blankets of the men, where 
they would crawl during the night for a warm and com- 
fortable repose. 

The hoot of the owl, the whirr of the night-hawk, the 
moan of the wild bear, accompanied by the howls and 



2 20 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

screeches of various other wild animals in this "Great 
American Menagerie," formed the music by which the mid- 
night sentry paced his lonely beat. And now having given 
an idea of our surroundings, I will return to the incident 
before mentioned. 

The first day of our three days' tour of picket duty at 
this place, we spent the time mostly in viewing our situation 
and surroundings, and trading with the neighboring farmers. 
During the afternoon an " officer of the day," with whom 
none of us were acquainted, and who was evidently as much 
a stranger to this section of the country, visited us. His 
inquiries about the place, the situation, number, and orders 
of the post, were very definite. Ordinarily we should not 
have paid much attention to this fact, but he acted in such 
a strange manner that our suspicions were aroused that he 
was not what he seemed. He shortly left us, however, and 
nothino- further occurrincr to strenrrthen our doubts and 
fears that day, we thought no more of it. 

After supper and the usual accompaniment of pipe smok- 
ing and story telling, the posts were set, the strictest orders 
given, and we that were off duty for the timebeing, stretched 
ourselves on the floor of the log huts, and rolling our 
blankets around us, were soon oblivious to all our surround- 
ings. 

At lo o'clock I was aroused to relieve the posts on duty, 
having done which, I returned to the hut and sat down by 
the fire for a smoke, going out occasionally to see that 
everything was all right and to have a confidential chat 
with my chum, Archie Williams, who was stationed at Post 
No. I. 

On one of these occasions, about half past eleven, I had 
scarcely got back to the quarters when I heard in a low 
voice, "Corporal of the guard. Post i ." Snatching my rifle 
I stepped out, but was surprised to see Post i taking cover 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 227 

behind the tool-house by the side of the track. As I ap- 
proached, he, by signals with his hand, bade me be cautious 
and keep low. I instantly dropped to the ground and creep- 
ing swiftly along, stood up beside him and demanded to 
know why all this was thus. He bade me listen, and that 
I did intently. 

A quarter moon shed her dim light around us, making 
the recesses of the swamp seem doubly dark and hideous. 
After listening for a moment, we heard, to our great sur- 
prise, the steady click, click of sabres somewhere in our 
vicinity. After being satisfied that something wrong was 
going on around us, I asked Archie what he thought about 
it. 

" You know that strange officer that was around here to- 
day ? " he asked. ' ' Well, that darn cuss was a rebel scout, 
and he was trying to find a way through here to pass a body 
of cavalry, and that is what you hear now,— that same cav- 
alry going past us on the cart path, over yonder in the 
woods." 

It is certain that the noise resembled a body of cavalry 
moving on our flank, and the accompanying click, click of 
their sabres, and we listened a moment longer, but the noise 
had ceased. I concluded to visit Post 2 . As I neared him he 
gave the same cautionary signal, obeying which, I soon 
reached him, and found him lying flat on the ground on the 
side of the track with his gun levelled over the rails. 

He told me he had heard a movement in the brush on 
the other side, and thought he saw an object creeping along 
in the woods. Warning him not to fire should he discover 
the enemy, but keep out of sight and report quickly to head- 
quarters at Post I , I returned and aroused the sergeant. He 
listened a moment, after I made my report to him, and said 
" Wake up the lieutenant." That officer got up very re- 
luctantly, and yawning once or twice, asked what was the 



228 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

matter. I told him in as few words as possible that we be- 
lieved we were being surrounded by rebel cavalry. Here- 
plied sleepily that there was no chance for rebel cavalry to 
get as far as this without our knowledge. By this time we 
had reached the railroad where stood the sergeant and 
Archie. 

For a few minutes all was still, and then came that click, 
click, again, softly, but very distinct. 

This waked our lieutenant up pretty quick, and turning 
to me he said : " Get the men up quick, and still as possi- 
ble. Post them behind the buildings. Let them keep still 
and out of sight." I went into the huts where fourteen of 
them lay in sound slumber, and quietly shaking each one, 
told him to " Get up ; we think we are surrounded." These 
were veteran soldiers, and there was no turning over to take 
another nap. Every one was up in an instant, and, rifle in 
hand, ready to act as circumstances might direct. 

Returning again to the railroad, the lieutenant ordered 
Sergeant McCann and myself to skirmish out towards the 
cart path, and see what was going on. With our rifles at 
half-cock we entered the dark woods, and advancing from 
tree to tree, keeping close together, peering forward through 
the gloom to discover the first traces of an enemy, we at 
length arrived at the cart path. There was certainly no 
enemy passing now, and after an examination of the road, 
upon our hands and knees, we were satisfied that no one 
had passed that way for a day or two, as we could not find 
any fresh tracks. 

After listening in vain for a few minutes, and neither 
hearing any noise nor seeing anything suspicious, we re- 
turned to the railroad. Reaching the edge of the woods, 
we were stopped by hearing the same noise again, but now 
it seemed above our heads, and gazing up awhile, the ab- 
surdity of the whole affair burst upon us as we observed 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 229 

the tops of two tall gum trees near which we were stand- 
ing, waving gently in the night breeze and their leafless 
branches hitting against each other, producing a noise ex- 
actly resembling the passing of a body of cavalry near by, 
and taken together with the suspicious actions of the 
strange oflficer who visited us the day before, were enough 
to deceive and alarm us, even to turning out the whole 
post, prepared for the expected attack. The sentry on 
Post No. 2 probably saw some wild animal trying to find 
a way out to the settlements. 

We felt rather foolish at being sold so easily, but it was 
nothing more than what might happen to any out-post, and 
it proved that we could not be caught napping in case of a 
genuine attack. 

The bo3^s turned in again, the guard resumed their watch, 
and nothing further occurred to disturb us. Upon the third 
day our relief arrived, and after transferring our orders and 
warning them to beware of the deceptive influence of those 
two gum trees, we departed for camp. 

The next tour of picket found me detailed for the left of 
the line. Nothing of note occurred but the burning of the 
barracks at the reserve post, the light of which we plainly 
saw. They caught fire the first night of our stay from 
some body's pipe, and the blaze running quickly over the 
loose straw on the floor gave the boys sleeping there 
hardly time to get out, many losing their blankets and 
equipments. 

Although I was detailed for this line of pickets several 
times subsequently, I met with no more personal adventures 
worthy of note, and so will bid good-bye to Bowers' Hill 
for the present, and proceed to relate an incident of a far 
dilTerent character which shall form our next chapter. 



230 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 



CHAPTER XV. 



MILITARY EXECUTIONS. 

IN the city of Norfolk, Va., resided a great many peo- 
ple in full sympath}^ with the Confederacy, and al- 
though now under the protection of the United States 
forces and enjoying privileges that they had been denied 
during the thirteen months' previous occupancy by the rebel 
army, still hated the sight and sound of a government 
soldier. 

Among the better or richer class of rebel non-combat- 
ants were a few who Vv^ould, at every opportunity, make them- 
selves obnoxious to our officers and men in various ways. 
Occupying splendid residences upon one of the more fash- 
ionable streets, they desired to keep these streets clear of 
our men, who at times performed their daily evolutions of 
drill in the neighborhood. 

One of the most influential of these secessionists was a 
man named David M. Wright. He had been a citizen of 
Norfolk since 1840, and had built up a flourishing business 
as a physician. During the period the town was held by 
the Confederacy, he had presided at their secret meetings, 
and was prominently concerned in the plan for the capture 
of the Gosport Navy Yard, across the bay, and after the 
raising and equipment of the famed Mcrrimac, he was com- 
missioned naval surgeon on board of her. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 23I 

At the time of which we are writing, an effort was made 
by the government to raise a regiment of colored troops in 
this vicinity. One full company being ready, officers from 
the regular garrison at Fortress Monroe were placed in 
charge. Among these was a young man by the name of 
Theodore F. Sanborn, recently promoted from sergeant to 
first lieutenant, and placed in command of this colored 
company. He had been in the habit of drilling his com- 
pany in front of Dr. Wright's residence. If white troops 
in blue uniform were obnoxious to this rebel element, how 
much more so were these colored troops, some of whom 
they claimed as former slaves ! 

After trying in various ways to drive this officer and his 
men to some other locality in vain, they held a council 
over the matter, and resolved to order him oft^ peremptorily, 
and if he did not go, to shoot him on the spot. But, as 
may be supposed, this ordering was a mere farce to the 
lieutenant, who still continued his daily drills in the neigh- 
borhood. While manoeuvring his men one morning di- 
rectly in front of Dr. Wright's residence, the old man came 
out in a towering passion. " Take away those d — d nig- 
gers," said he to the lieutenant, "I will not have them 
before my house ; and you, you paltry Yankee skunk, if 
you don't leave this neighborhood, I will soon put you be- 
yond the chance of stealing any more niggers." 

"The men were about to rush forward to resent the insult 
offered to their commander, when he ordered a peremptory 
" attention," for the purpose of suppressing their aroused 
feelings. The doctor observing that the young lieutenant 
was too much engaged to notice what he was at, drew a 
pistol and discharged the contents into the back of the lieu- 
tenant, who fell dead in front of his command. 

" The report of the pistol had not died away before the 
murderer was grasped and firmly held by several black but 



232 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

muscular hands, which, but for the exertions of the other offi- 
cers of the company, would have torn the rebellious doctor to 
pieces. He was, however, speedily secured and taken to the 
guard-house, where he was confined to await the action of a 
court-martial. 

" The military commission for the trial of criminal of- 
fenses committed by civilians assembled in due form at 
Norfolk, under directions of special orders from the head- 
quarters Department of Virginia. The prisoner was brought 
before the commission upon the charge of having in cold 
blood, deliberately murdered an officer of the United States 
forces while in the discharge of his duty, he, the prisoner, 
neither being within the enemy's lines, nor in the recog- 
nized service of the foe, but residing within the lines of the 
United States troops as a resident non-combatant, and not 
displaying open hostility to the said United States forces 
to mark him as an enemy. 

" As the prisoner stood before the court he presented the 
following appearance : In height, rather tall, slightly bent 
in the shoulders, with a large frame, though somewhat lean : 
his eyes were dark, with heavy brows, and long iron-gray 
hair, hanging over the shoulders, moustache and goatee. 

"The charge was a grave one, and being fully estab- 
lished before the court, the prisoner was removed to his 
cell to await his sentence. The following official docu- 
ment shows the result of the trial : 

" General Orders, No. 17. 
" Headquarters Department of Virginia and North Carolina, \ 
Fortress Monroe, Va., Oct. 10, 1S63. J 

" The proceeding of the military commission instituted for the trial 01 
Dr. David M. Wright, of Norfolk, Va., bj special orders No. 195, 196, 
197, of 1S63, from the headquarters of the Department of Virginia, having 
in accordance with Sec. 5, of the act of Congress approved July 17th, 1S63, 
been submitted to the President of the United States, and the sentence 
having been approved, and the execution thereof ordered by the President 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 233 

at such time and place as the major-general commanding the department 
may appoint, it is therefore ordered that the sentence that " the accused, 
Dr. David M. Wright, of Norfolk, be hanged by the neck until he be- 
dead," be carried into execution on Friday next, the sixteenth day of 
October, at lo o'clock in the forenoon, at such place in or near Norfolk as 
the commander of the United States forces at that place may designate. 

" By command of 

"Major-General Commanding Department. 

" During the interval between the termination of the trial 
and the rendition of the sentence, every eflbrt was made by 
the friends of the prisoner to induce President Lincoln 
either to revoke the sentence of the court or to order a new 
and civil court trial. The plea of insanity was put in by 
some of his friends and at one time it was thought the main 
object — the saving of his life — was effected, and that he 
was to be sent to a northern lunatic asylum. But the issu- 
ance of the above order at last put all doubts to an end. 

"Could it be possible? The husband of a high-born 
Virginian lady and father of one of the first families in 
Virginia, to be hung up like a slave ! Oh, no, it could not 
be possible. Something must be done to save him from a 
felon's end. 

" All the efforts of the Confederates in Richmond were 
put to work, and by the aid of their sympathizers in Wash- 
ington, the President was induced to grant him one week's 
respite, the execution being put off until Oct. 23, 1863. 

" After he was incarcerated, he began to betray many 
evidences of his most eccentric character. Upon learning of 
his fate, he ordered a coffin to be made after a plan designed 
by himself. It was constructed of plain cypress wood, ex- 
tremely rough in its exterior appearance and of very odd 
shape. Instead of being like ordinary coffins, widest across 
the breast, the broadest part was at the head from which it 
gradually tapered off to the foot, having something the ap- 
pearance of a great wedge. 



234 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

" Directly over the head, extending about two feet, there 
was an abrupt rise above the level of the top of the coffin, 
about eight or ten inches higher than the lower portion of 
it. It looked as though a small box had been fastened to 
the top after it had been finished. The doctor's idea of 
having his last home so constructed was that small photo- 
graphic likenesses of all the members of his family might 
be placed inside, after the manner in which they are usually 
hung upon walls. He also desired that these relics might be 
buried with him. The prisoner expecting to be executed 
on the following morning, began arranging the pictures of 
his family along the raised sides of his coffin, and then got 
in himself. Being perfectly satisfied with it, he then got 
out, and with a steady, good, bold hand wrote his name 
in full with a lead pencil upon the lid of his coffin. 

" The condemned man was thus engaged when his family 
came to bid him farewell on the Thursday evening. The 
parting was very affecting. At this time an incident oc- 
curred which greatly tried the officer in charge. When 
the officer appeared, the doctor's little son rushed up to 
him, and clasping him around the knees, uttered in a 
piteous accent, 'Oh, can I not die for my father? Save 
him, and let me die.' 

" The lieutenant was greatly moved, but as he had no 
power to make such a change, and fearing another such 
an appeal, he quickly left the cell in charge of the jailer, 
who was more hardened to such scenes. The condemned 
man had just taken a final farewell of his family, when a 
messenger arrived from the general with the joyful intelli- 
gence that the prisoner was respited for one week. 

" On the following Monday morning the wife of the 
prisoner, having with her as a companion her youngest 
daughter, left Norfolk to pay a visit to the commander of 
the department, at Fortress Monroe. The wife begged 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 235 

hard for the Hfe of her husband, and during the conference 
the Httle girl cHmbed upon the knees of the general. Put- 
ting up her sweet, innocent face, she said with an earnest 
pathos that went to the very soul of the stern man of war : 
'Oh, save my father, won't you?' The veteran soldier 
had met the foreign foe at Cherubusco ; he had shed his 
blood on the field of Molino-del-Rey ; he had faced the do- 
mestic enemy at Roanoke and Newbern, and never before 
felt what fear was. But the six simple words of the young 
girl completely conquered him, and he melted into tears be- 
neath the pathetic entreaty of guileless childhood. Stern 
duty, the only master of a soldier, compelled him to carry 
out the orders of a higher power, and the wife and daughter 
returned to Norfolk unsuccessful. 

"Thus the hours steadily progressed without the pros- 
pect of a pardon, and the execution was fixed for the fol- 
lowing Friday morning. A deep laid plan for his escape 
was now operated. In the first place, a number of hacks 
was provided with fast horses and certain instructions, and 
were to locate at certain points in the city. Should his 
friends succeed in getting him outside the I'ail, one hack 
would speedily conve}" him to another, and thus changing 
hacks, and each and all of them driving in different direc- 
tions simultaneously all over the city, the effect would be 
to throw his pursuers oft^ the track. The last hack he en- 
tered was to drive at a dead run through our picket lines 
and into the country beyond, where he would be safe. 
This feature was a good one, and doubtless would have 
worked well, but the main thing was how to get him out 
of the jail. 

" On Wednesday evening the wife and son, accompanied 
by the two eldest daughters, paid the father a visit in his 
cell, all entering the apartment together. The door w as 
closed behind them, the jailor remaining outside. 'Qiiick, 



236 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

father,' said the eldest daughter, 'change dresses with me 
and you will be able to escape while I remain here. They 
will not harm me, and there are good friends outside to 
help you directly you are free.' 

" ' But,' said the father, hesitatingly, ' should they punish 
you for aiding in my escape, I could not bear that.' ' Fear 
not, father,' returned the devoted daughter, ' they will not 
hang me, — a woman, — and your life will be saved. Hasten, 
father, or you will be too late.' 

"The change in dress was soon effected, and the party 
left the cell, the daughter remaining behind. Fully 
equipped in male attire, she threw herself upon the bed and 
covered herself with the quilt. Her feet encased in her 
father's boots were allowed to appear just beneath the cov- 
ering, so as to give to a casual observer the appearance 
that the prisoner had thrown himself upon the couch in an 
agony of grief. 

'• It was necessary in order to gain the street from the cell 
of the prison for the visitors to pass through a little ante- 
room, which was generally occupied by the officers of the 
jail for the transaction of business. As the party was pass- 
ing through the doorway leading into the room, a slight 
stumble was made, which drew the attention of the turn- 
key towards them. After they had cleverly reached the 
street, that official jumped up and exclaimed, 'By G — d, I 
believe that was Dr. Wright in disguise.' 

" An officer of infantry who was seated in the room at once 
pursued the party and intercepted them before they passed 
over many feet of ground, and just about as they were con- 
gratulatmg themselves on their fortunate escape, he walked 
up to the disguised doctor, and raising the two heavy veils 
that covered his face, said : 

" ' Come, old gentleman, that is played out ; I know you .' 

" Although much disappointed at the failure of the scheme. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 237 

the prisoner was determined the officer should not see it, 
and therefore appearing to be neither annoyed or embar- 
rassed at the detection, he returned to the jail, remarking as 
he did so, 

" 'Desperate means are always pardonable under desper- 
ate circumstances.' 

" He then walked back into his cell as unconcernedly as 
if nothing had happened. 

"When the jailer and his prisoner entered the prison 
apartment, they found the daughter lying on the couch in 
the position before described. She was much chagrined at 
being found out, and pained to find her schemes for her 
father's escape had been frustrated. 

"Although guilty of a criminal offense in conniving at 
the escape of a condemned prisoner, some due considera- 
tion was allowed for her close relationship to the unfortu- 
nate man, and for the circumstances of the case. She was, 
therefore, placed under no restraint for the imprudent act, 
but, instead, was escorted to her home by one of the officers 
of the prison." 

We will now go back to the regiment awhile. On 
Wednesday, October 21st, we were ordered to cook up 
three days' rations. Thursday at seven in the evening, we 
left camp in light marching order and arrived at the Fair 
Grounds in the suburbs of Norfolk about midnight. Here 
we found three other regiments of infantry and a battery of 
three pieces of artillery. 

Friday, October 23d, we ate breakfast, after which we 
prepared for the execution. The failure of the plan to 
escape aroused the indignation, hate, and fury of the 
whole rebel class of people throughout the city, and they 
resolved, rich and poor alike, that he should not be hung 
if it took every man's life to rescue him from the gal- 
lows. Consequently, it was necessary to have a large 



238 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

force of military on the ground, armed and equipped, to ful- 
fil the sentence of the law. 

The line was formed three sides of a square, the scaffold 
near the centre, and the three pieces of artillery in rear of 
the scaffold, loaded for quick work, at short range. Out- 
side the main line, and completely surrounding the square, 
a heavy line of guards was posted. All were loaded and 
capped prepared to see the sentence of the law carried out 
to its fullest extent, if it caused the destruction of the whole 
city to accomplish it. 

" All hope of pardon for the prisoner was at an end. 
In vain the relatives and friends of the doomed man be- 
sought for him a few hours' respite. A telegram from the 
President commanded that the ends of justice should be 
fully carried out. 

"The execution was ordered for 10 o'clock that morning, 
but long before the hour arrived, an eager crowd of spec- 
tators assembled in the street and park in front of the prison 
to witness the sad and solemn spectacle. Two regiments 
of infantry were drawn up in line to prevent any attempt 
at rescue, for rumor had stated that such a plan was to be 
attempted, even at the scaffold itself, if not sooner. 

" At 9 o'clock the condemned appeared at the prison door. 
The murmuring voices were hushed into death-like stillness 
as he passed along, supported on either side by his spiritual 
advisers. He paused a moment on the sidewalk to address 
a few words to those whose faces he recognized, and, 
smiling calmly as he looked around upon the sea of faces, 
the old man steadily entered the carriage assigned to him. 

"Closely guarded by the military, the carriage slowly 
moved along to the solemn music of the 'Dead March.' 
Every precaution had been taken by the mounted patrols 
to keep the crowd at a respectful distance from the carriage, 
so that any attempt at rescue would prove an utter failure.'^ 

As he passed into the inclosure of troops the writer ob- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 239 

served him cast a glance at the scaffold, and a quick 
shudder shook his whole frame ; but he held out bravely, 
and mounted the steps with a firm tread. 

The officer read the charge, findings of the court, and 
his sentence. His spiritual attendant offered a prayer. 
The prisoner and his executioner were then left alone face 
to face beneath the gallows tree. The doomed man sank 
upon his knees, and in an audible tone addressed the Divine 
Being, whose laws he had outraged ; after which he arose, 
and in a firm voice said : 

" ' I die for the crime of murder, but the deed I committed 
was without malice. I am sorry for it, but it cannot be 
recalled, and I know I must suffer. I bid you all fare- 
well.' " 

His hands were then tied behind his back. He knelt 
down and uttered a last prayer to God for forgiveness and 
courage. The noose was placed around his neck, the black 
cap was drawn over his face, the signal given, the trap 
fell, — and the soul of David M. Wright stood before its 
Maker. 

A shrill scream rent the air, so agonizing in its tone, as 
it came from the lips of his beloved daughter, who had 
witnessed the execution, and stimulated the excited crowd 
of citizens to attempt a rush upon the line ; but the sight of 
the twelve-pounders and the glittering line of bayonets that 
confronted them, cooled their ardor, and they slowly dis- 
persed to their homes. 

After hanging twenty minutes, the body was pronounced 
dead, and was cut down, placed in the coffin, and taken 
away by his friends in funeral procession, to the grave. 

The troops were kept here all that day and until the next 
afternoon, ready to quell any outbreak that might occur. 
At 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon we started for camp, and 
arrived there at dark, wet through from the heavy showers 
of rain that had fallen in torrents all day. This was the 



240 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

first public execution I had ever witnessed. It was hard 
to see a man forfeit his life in such a manner, and I never 
wanted to see another. 

For the immediate details of this case, — those that, as a 
soldier, I had no opportunity to collect, — I have been in- 
debted to a stray paper, called the War Record, in which 
I fortunately found the whole matter, corroborating all that 
portion of my journal that came under my own observation, 
and of such a truthful description that I have not hesitated 
to indorse, and enter it on these pages. 

Camp-life and its duties began again, and our work on 
the fortifications being ended, drill with the compan}' and 
battalion took the place of axe and shovel. Orders were 
now received, in view of malaria and fevers that existed 
and were threatened, that every man be required to take a 
daily allowance of quinine and whiskey to keep us in good 
health. But our rations soon became all quinine and no 
whiskey, and were discontinued, to our great satisfaction. 

Monday, November 9th, I, with several others, attended 
the execution of two men near Fort Reno, on our left, be- 
longing to the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers, who were 
to be shot for desertion. Arrived on the grounds, we 
found a large number of soldiers assembled, and the brig- 
ade to which the condemned men belonged already taking 
position in form of hollow square, three sides occupied by 
the troops and the fourth open for the firing party. 

At half past ten the solemn music of the " Dead March" 
was heard, and soon the procession arrived and marched 
slowly around the inside of the square in the following 
order : 

Brigade Band. 

Ambulance containing two coffins. 

Four files of men, arms reversed. 

Two prisoners, attended bj their spiritual advisers. 

Firing party, 

Composed of sergeant, corporal, and twelve file of men. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 24I 

As they passed around the line, every man's breath was 
hushed, and every heart beat with pity for the poor men 
who were so soon to part with all that is beautiful in life. 
One of them was probably twenty-nine or thirty years of 
age. The other was quite young, not over eighteen, and 
betrayed the most heart-rending emotion. 

At last the funeral cortege arrived at the open side of the 
square. The coffins were taken out and laid side by side 
on the ground, near the graves, already dug. The pris- 
oners were placed in front of them, facing the centre of the 
square, and the firing party took position in front about ten 
paces distant, and facing the doomed men. 

The officer then read the proceedings of the court-mar- 
tial and sentence of death. During this ceremony the 
youngest of the prisoners completely broke down, and 
leaning on the shoulder of his spiritual adviser, wept most 
piteously. The other, though seemingly not so deeply 
affected, hung his head in pai-nful sorrow. 

At the end of the reading of the sentence, the sacrament 
of the church was administered to them, a prayer in their be- 
half was offered, their hands were tied in front of their 
breasts, their eyes were bandaged, and all was ready for the 
final act of judgment. 

In the deep and solemn stillness of those last moments, 
that seemed hours to them and to us, broken only by the 
piteous sobs of the young soldier, the officer took out his 
watch and the word was given in the interval of about ten 
seconds: "Ready, aim, fire!" A crash of musketry, a 
groan, — and without a struggle the two men fell forward, 
shot through the body, — dead. 

Their life-blood spurted forth in a crimson tide, and their 
souls entered that bourne from whence no traveler returns. 
A space of a few minutes passed, as every eye gazed upon 
the horrible sight, and then the line formed quietly into col- 
umns of companies, and passed in review of the lifeless 

16 



242 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

forms of their late comrades. When they had gone, we 
also viewed the remains, and turned back to our camp, sick 
at heart. 

We were always invited to such a scene that the lesson 
there taught might be impressed upon our minds to the ex- 
tent of preventing us from desertion. That our men never 
profited by such examples as the one we have just narrated 
may be seen from the fact that desertions were never 
stopped, but increased in proportion to the length of the 
war. 

Many were shot during the war for desertion, bounty- 
jumping, and the like, who deserved the extreme penalty of 
the law ; but there were also many, who, being called home 
by the sickness or death of some loved one, and for some 
reason or other not being allowed the necessary furlough, 
had taken it upon themselves to go " without leave." Some 
of these returned to their regiments and reported for duty. 
They had no idea of defrauding the government of their 
services. Immediately upon their return they were arrested, 
tried, and sentenced to be shot for desertion. Having no 
influential friends to plead their case before the President, 
they were forced to be led to their graves like dogs, and 
there be shot in cold blood. 

In support of this assertion, I beg leave to quote the fol- 
lowing incident, by the author of the Blue and Gray : 

"A soldier who had proven his loyalty upon the hard- 
fought battle-fields of three campaigns, and who bore upon 
his breast the scars of honorable wounds, made application 
to visit his wife, whom he had not seen for two long years, 
and who was at that time dying of consumption. A letter 
from his home had brought the sad tidings that she could 
not hold out much longer, and that she had expressed a wish 
to see him once more before she died. Upon this statement 
he hoped to get a leave of absence, but although his appli • 
cation was indorsed by all his regimental officers, it failed 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 243 

at headquarters, and he was refused a permit. His loyal 
soul, although true to his country, was truer still to the 
woman whom he had sworn to cherish before the altar of 
heaven, and he, revolting at this disappointment, clandes- 
tinely left the camp. 

" In due time, he arrived at his home, just in time to see 
his wife die, and after burying her, he again started back 
to the army. In the meantime, he was reported absent 
without leave and pronounced a deserter. 

" Upon reaching his camp, he was promptly arrested and 
court-martialed. That tribunal heard the charges against 
him, and heard the prisoner's plea of guilty distinctly pro- 
nounced by himself, and asked what he had to say in ex- 
tenuation of the act. 

*' ' I would say that for three long years I have served 
my country with a loyal soldier's devotion, although I never 
swore to do it. At the altar I pledged my honor to my 
wife to cherish her until death. When death summoned 
her, I asked leave to be permitted to see her die, and it was 
refused me, and in obedience to my oath, I went to her bed- 
side. When all was over, I laid her away, and came im- 
mediately back to my post. 

*' ' My duty to my country is secondary to my duty to my 
God. Find me guilty and punish me with death.' 

"That court never agreed upon a verdict, and Edmund 
Scott continued loyal to the cause, and witnessed the down- 
fall of the Confederacy at Appomattox." 

We cite this as one case in which the accused fortunately 
escaped death ; but there were many, whose cause was as 
just as his, who were forced to die in obedience to a " raw 
head and bloody bones " sentence. 

Such punishment is murder^ nothing more or less, for as 
against the laws of God, capital punishment is a crime ; and 
as such, it should be blotted from the statute books of the 
civilized world. 



244 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 



CHAPTER XVI. 



CAMP INCIDENTS. 

IN front of and separated from our camp by a swampy 
piece of land, was quite a little village of board shanties 
occupied by contrabands. These people, gathered in 
from the surrounding country, had been put under the care 
of our troops, the men working on the fortifications, while 
the women were employed at washing, or other work adap- 
ted to them. There were probably about a hundred of them, 
— men, women, and children. 

One night, not long after the events recorded in the pre- 
vious chapter, the writer was on guard duty at camp. It 
was just after lo o'clock, and I had duly posted my relief, 
when a party of our men who had been visiting friends in 
a neighboring regiment, returned in an hilarious condition, 
but becoming quiet as they reached our camp, gave the 
countersign, and passing over the guard line, took the direc- 
tion of the contraband camp above mentioned. 

The night was clear and cool. The men in their quar- 
ters had ceased their talking and fallen asleep, and nothing 
broke the silence around, save the call of some sentr}^ pac- 
ing his beat in some of the various camps about us. 

Suddenly from the contraband quarters came the sound 
as of pounding, breaking down doors and shanties, soon 
increased by the shrieks of the colored wenches and the 
shouts of the men, as they endeavored to defend their 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 245 

homes from the rude assaults of our gang of drunken com- 
rades, who, it seems, had taken it into their heads to give 
them a " waking up " and were pulling down their shanties 
and smashing things generally. All at once a shot was 
fired, and immediately the camp was alarmed. The colonel 
flew out of his tent and across the parade in his shirt and 
drawers, crying at the top of his voice, "Turn out the guard. 
Fall in the regiment. Turn out, every man." 

Instantly the whole camp was a scene of confusion. 
Waked so suddenly from their slumbers, the boys at once 
supposed that the whole rebel army was in front of our 
works, and they tumbled out of their quarters in all shapes 
and conditions, some without hats or shoes, some in shirt 
and pants only, and all half dressed, grasped their gun and 
cartridge box, and rushed across the swamp toward their 
place in line at the works. 

Officers, half dressed, brandished their swords, and 
shouted their orders. The colonel raved and tore around. 
The guard oflT duty hastily formed and made speedy tracks 
for the scene of action, and a confused noise of shrieking 
women, crying children, shouting men and officers, barking 
dogs, and crashing shanties, made night hideous for awhile. 
With the alarm of the regiment and the subsequent con- 
fusion, the men who had caused all this commotion pru- 
dently skedaddled to safer quarters, and in a few minutes 
the disturbance was suppressed, the excited negroes quieted 
down, the regiment came back to camp and to bed again, 
and the guard returned with one prisoner, a large negro 
who had been caught in the act of striking one of our men 
with an axe. 

This fellow was terribly frightened at being a prisoner 
under such circumstances, a fact which we at the guard- 
house on duty, thought best to keep alive ; and so for the 
next two hours we reviewed his case, and impressed him 
with the assurance that at 8 o'clock the next morning he 



246 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

would be court-martialed, and at nine brought out in front 
of Fort Rodman and shot for a murderous assault upon a 
United States soldier with an axe. 

We described ver}^ vividly the particulars of his execu- 
tion, and thus kept the poor fellow prajdng, singing, and 
asserting his innocence of any criminal intent, enduring un- 
told agonies of mind, until near morning, when our atten- 
tion being drawn away for a few moments, he slipped out of 
the guard-house unobserved, and we never saw his face 
again. 

Thus ended this carousal, and the principals in the af- 
fair were sought in vain. But to pay for this, Colonel 
Buffum the next day increased the camp guard to its full 
number of fifteen or twenty posts, and our turn for guard 
duty came every other day. This, with the usual picket 
and fatigue duty, kept us almost constantly on duty. In 
this case, as in many others since the world began, the in- 
nocent were made to suffer for the guilty. 

But with all our extra duty we had one respite, one 
chance to enjoy ourselves. At different times w^e w^ere 
allowed a pass to Norfolk, giving us permission to spend 
the day enjoying ourselves in the city. These passes were 
often altered in such a manner as to enable us, when w^e 
could get away from camp, to visit Norfolk at any time 
without applying for a new pass. As an illustration of the 
way this thing was performed, I give a copy of a pass 
granted, which reads thus : 

HEADqUARTERS FoURTII REGIMENT RhODE IsLAXD VOLUNTEERS, \ 

Camp at Getty's Station, Va., Dec. 6, 1S63. i 

Guards and patrols will pass the bearer, Geo. H. Allen, of Company B, 
Fourth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, to and from Norfolk, Va., 
until S P. M. this day. 

Signed : M. P. Buffum, Lt.-Col. Comd'g Reg't. 
Chas. Wilson, ist Lieut, and Adj't. 

Countersigned: G. W. Getty, Com'd'g Brio-. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 247 

By erasing the "8 p. m. this day" and substituting the 
words "furtlier orders," we made a general pass of it, 
which we could use at any time by being careful to have 
some one of our comrades to answer " Here" for us at 
roll-call while we were away. 

As the Norfolk Theatre was in full operation, many of 
us would stay down to the city through the evening to at- 
tend. The theatre was over at eleven p. m., after which 
we would make our way back to camp. 

Crossing the ferry to Portsmouth without any trouble, 
we would travel up the railroad in a crowd composed of 
members of different regiments, to the number of thirty or 
forty, all provided with general passes as the above. Well 
knowing these passes were of no use to us in the night, 
on reaching a guard post, we usually had among our num- 
ber one or more who, being on guard detail in their re- 
spective camps that night, were in possession of the coun- 
tersign. 

About a mile out of Portsmouth was posted a cavalry 
picket, extending across the railroad. As we neared this 
post one night, coming home from the play, we heard the 
sentry's challenge, "Halt! Who goes there?" One of our 
number answered, "Friends with the countersign." As 
a rule, this all-powerful word would pass us all through by 
the one who held it, but this night the sergeant on duty 
refused to pass us unless each and every one of us could 
give the word. The man who held it passed through, and 
the rest of us gathered in a knot on the railroad and held 
a council of war. 

It would not do to go back to the city or to stay here 
all night, so we resolved to run the post at all hazards. 
Quickly agreeing upon a plan, we sent one of our number 
ahead to hold a confab with the sergeant, and meanwhile 
the rest of us closed upon the line, and before the sergeant or 
his men knew what we were up to, with a rush we passed 



248 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

over the line and scattered for the woods near by. The 
sergeant cursed and shouted, and ordered his guard "To 
horse ! " in pursuit, but they could not follow us far in these 
dark woods, and an hour later found us all right in camp. 

Another source of amusement was created near our 
camp. A large building, capable of holding two hundred 
or more, was erected by the men of our brigade in their 
spare hours, for the purpose of giving theatrical entertain- 
ments, etc. It was built of rough pine slabs and timber 
hewn out of the forest. 

A company of amateur performers was organized, and 
with a stage, some cheap scenery, an orchestra, and other 
requisites, several plays were very well enacted. The 
house was crowded nightly, and many a 50-cent " shin- 
plaster" found its way into the pockets of the "manage- 
ment," who did their utmost to cater to the amusement of 
their comrades ; and though their resources were limited, 
yet their performances were generally very satisfactory, 
judging by the applause of their auditors. 

Friday, November 27th, at dress parade, an order was 
read to us by the adjutant, relating to the trial and sentence 
of two of our regiment for desertion. One by the name of 
Leach, of Company H, and the other, Samuel Ames, of 
Company A. Leach deserted us at Annapolis, Md., on or 
about Jan. 2, 1862 ; was caught, brought back to the regi- 
ment at Beaufort, N. C, and deserted again at " Camp 
Starvation," or Waterloo, on our march from Berlin to 
Fredericksburg. He was tried by court-martial at Norfolk, 
found guilty, and sentenced to be shot to death, at or near 
Fort Rodman, on Monday, December 7th, next ensuing. 

Samuel Ames, of Company A, was also sentenced to be 
shot at the same time and place. The firing party was 
drawn by lot from each company, and all the preparations 
were made for this sad event, when, the day before their 
sentence was to be executed, there came a reprieve for both 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 249 

of them : to Leach, of fourteen days, to await the action of 
the President; and to Ames was given a long lease of life, 
his sentence being commuted to six months of hard labor on 
the " ripraps." Within ten days President Lincoln issued 
an order reprieving all prisoners under sentence of death 
in this department, and this, of course, included Leach. 
Whatever became of him subsequently, the writer knows not.. 

Orders were now received from Washington to provide 
for the reenlistment of all three-year men for another term 
of three years, or during the war. As a special induce- 
ment, a government bounty of $402 was offered to us, pay- 
able in installments, and a further bounty of $300 from the 
State of Rhode Island. Moreover, added to this was a 
thirty days' furlough, granting us leave to return home and 
enjoy the society of our friends before setting out on our 
new term. The three years enlisted for was to begin at 
muster in or right away. The books were opened in our 
regiment, and Lieut. Geo. W. Field was appointed recruit- 
ing officer. 

Of course this created quite a commotion among the men, 
and was the main subject of conversation for many days. 
Each man had his opinion, and stoutly maintained it. Some 
were anxious to get home and see their friends, and at the 
same time provide well for them with the munificent bounty 
offered. Others were heartily sick of the service and pre- 
ferred staying their first three years, and then go home lor 
good. But at last many of the latter changed their minds, 
for the temptation to see home and wife and little ones was 
too great for them. 

Christmas came in, pleasant but cold, and was enjoyed 
as a holiday by the regiment, and quite a crowd assembled 
to witness the various sports of the day, announced to con- 
sist of chasing the greased pig, sack race, wheelbarrow 
race, and an exhibition of the manly art of self-defense by 
several of our pugilistic comrades. Among our distin- 



-5^ FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

guished guests on this occasion we note General Getty and 
staff, Colonel Steere, and several ladies. The games com- 
menced at two p. M. and passed off successfully, with much 
credit to the participants. 

As New Year's drew on apace the excitement in regard 
to reenlisting increased, and many signed the roll who 
were at first its most strenuous opposers. The books 
were closed Tuesday, January 5th, at midnight. About 
one hundred and fifty men had reenlisted, of whom the 
writer's company, B, numbered eight, the writer himself 
being one of that number. We were duly examined by our 
surgeon. Dr. Dedrick, were discharged from our first three 
3'ears' service and mustered in for our second term, and now 
awaited transportation to our homes. 

Our camp was now visited by General " Small Pox," 
who, after a week's stay, left us minus several of our com- 
rades, who died from the effects of his visit. Company B 
losing one man, Comrade James H. Randall. 

Monday, February 28th, the order was received, " Re- 
enlisted men, fall in for Rhode Island." Cheers of joy from 
the "vets" resounded through the camp, and we hastily 
packed our knapsacks, bade good-bye to our comrades left 
behind, who watched us soberly and somewhat regretfully. 
Messages were transferred from friend to friend, the part- 
ing hand-shake given, cheer after cheer rent the air, and joy- 
fully we left our parade-ground on our homeward journey. 

Stepping aboard the cars at the station just below camp, 
we were soon whirled into Portsmouth. At the wharf lay a 
transport in waiting for us, on board which we were soon 
quartered, and leaving the wharf, ran down the harbor as 
far as Sewell's Point and anchored for the night. Tuesday 
morning up anchor and sailed back to Portsmouth to get 
our rations aboard. We then started again, but now a thick 
fog obscured sun and sea alike, and we were forced to come 
to anchor once more. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 25 1 

At 5 o'clock Wednesday morning, the weather being 
•clear, we made our final start for home. Passing Fort Mon- 
roe and Cape Charles in succession, we put out to sea, 
heading E. N. E. A brisk wind dead ahead impeded our 
progress much, and the rough chopping sea, always to be 
found at this point, pitched our steamer about like a chip in a 
mill pond. This vessel, like all other government transports, 
was exceedingly dirty. No place was provided for us to 
sleep, and we were obliged to bunk on the main deck or 
first deck below. As the weather promised a rough voyage, 
most of us chose the latter place, as being better protected 
from the cold winds and spray. 

Several of our number having bought, begged, borrowed, 
or stolen several dogs of several nationalities, had brought 
these aboard to take home, and had fastened them on this 
deck. When we got well out to sea, and the ship began 
pitching and rolling, our friends of the canine persuasion 
TDeing thoroughly frightened at the novelty of their situation, 
began a series of the most doleful bowlings and barkings, 
making night hideous with their noise, disturbing our slum- 
bers, and thereby receiving a cannonade of old shoes, bits of 
pork, or anything we could lay hands on. 

The second day out they were all put into the lower hold, 
loose. Here, unable to stand on their feet, and tossed 
about among the coal, etc., with each roll of the ship, they 
began a series of fights, bowlings, and various other noises, 
such as dogs were never known to make before. Their re- 
spective o.wners were now obliged to descend and make 
them fast as before. Nevertheless, they kept up their noise 
until we arrived, and their hearts were gladdened by the 
end of their perilous journey. 

The stench of the bilge-water in the hold, added to the 
savory mess of fat pork that composed our meat rations, 
was anything but agreeable, and forced many of us to repair 
occasionally to the "lee scuppers," there to pay our tribute 



252 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

to old Father Neptune. But we were on our journey 
home, and this fact encouraged us to bear and forbear 
until the shores of Rhode Island loomed up on the horizon, 
with a promise of better things to come. 

Thursday morning we began to look for signs of land 
ahead, but nothing could be seen beyond the vast waste of 
waters until just after sunset, when a little twinkling light 
on our port quarter gave us renewed thoughts of home. 
As we neared the Long Island coast, one light after another 
could be seen, at first looking like a little star struggling to 
rise out of the dark ocean, and at last we made old Mon- 
tauk Light, and then turned in, assured that a few hours 
more would find us between the shores of Rhode Island. 

Friday morning, we were early on deck and found our 
ship hove to off' Narragansett Pier, waiting for a pilot. At 
half past six he came aboard and we steamed away up the 
west passage, and through the bay, feasting our eyes on 
the old familiar land-marks, and hailing with joy the first 
glimpse of Providence, as we rounded old Conanicut 
Point. Everybody was happy. 

But in the midst of our joy, we did not forget to cast a 
thought back into the past, when a little over two years ago 
we sailed past these same shores with so many of our com- 
rades who would never see their homes on earth again. 
Though full of confidence and expectation as we were at 
that time, yet their day of life was over, and we had left 
them at rest on many a southern battle-field, or near hos- 
pitals. Fathers, mothers, wives, or children of these loved 
and lost would look upon our little band as *we passed 
through the streets of Providence, and would inquire of us 
the story of their soldier's life, sacrifice, and death, how he 
died and where he was buried ; and the old heart wounds, 
that nothing but eternity can heal, would bleed afi-esh as 
we related the particulars of their soldier-boy's patriotism. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 253 

his suffering, and his final parting with this life, so tar 
away from home and loved ones. 

While these sad thoughts passed through our minds, our 
ship swept around Field's Point and came to anchor A 
boat, containing Major Bucklin, who was in command of 
us, was now sent to the city, to find out if any provisions 
had been made for our reception. They were gone so 
long and we were so impatient to get ashore, that we began 
to lay plans to take the ship by force, weigh anchor, and 
steam away for the city on our own hooks. But just about 
as this plan was to be put in operation, the major was de- 
scried on his way back, and in a half hour, about i o'clock 
at noon, we landed at Fox Point Wharf. 

The authorities had not received any notice of our com- 
ing, and consequently there was no public reception But 
we cared little for that. We were home once more safe 
and sound ; were treading the old familiar pavements ; our 
friends were pressing in on all sides, and as we marched 
up South Main Street it was hard work for us to free our 
hands from the hearty grasp of one old friend, to shake 
hands with the next. 

By the time we reached the Great Bridge quite a crowd 
had collected. The news had flown over the city like a 
thunder-cloud, that the old Fourth Rhode Island had ar- 
rived, and while waiting to be paid ofi; at the office on 
Weybosset Street, we were kept continually talking, shak- 
ing hands, and accepting the congratulations and welcome 
of friends, acquaintances, and citizens of all classes. 

But the best, the dearest, the most heart-felt welcome 
awaited us in the sacred seclusion of /tome, and after re- 
ceiving our pay we separated for the space of thirty days 
and were soon at rest among those we loved, enjoying our 
brief respite from the trials, dangers, and hardships of a 
soldier's life. 



254 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

1864. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



POINT LOOKOUT. 



OUR furlough being extended ten days by the gracious 
permission of Uncle Sam, we pass over the interval 
of forty days since we landed in Providence, and 
report ourselves on Monday, April nth, at the Providence 
Depot, ready to return to the front. 

We have had a glorious good time at home. Have en- 
joyed ourselves to our full extent among our old time friends 
and acquaintances, and in the more quiet and heart-felt 
pleasures of the home circle. And now again to leave all 
we hold dear, to shake the parting hand, to give the last 
fond embrace, and receive the last words of those dear ones 
whom we may never see on earth again, is more trying to 
our moral courage than anything yet in our experience. 
Oh, could we only lift the veil of the future and see what 
destiny has in store for us ! 

With faltering lip and tearful eye we bid them all a last 
adieu, and amid the music of bands and the cheers of the 
multitude, moved slowly out of the depot. Farewell, dear 
ones ! Farewell, home ! Farewell, all those familiar scenes 
of our youth ! Many of us are carrying away our bodies 
to lay them dead on Southern soil in your defense. But 
wherever we go, or whatever our fate maybe, these last sad 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 255 

scenes of parting will never be effaced from our memory, 
and through all our trials and suffering we shall thank God 
that we have a home, that we have friends, that we have a 
country that is worthy our sacrifice. 

Amid these hallowed thoughts and memories, as we 
rushed along over the iron rail, came the sound of revelry, 
boisterous songs, howling, and fighting. There was plenty 
of rum aboard, and judging by the appearance of some of 
our men, they had been wrestling with this demon ever 
since they landed in Providence. 

At Groton we marched aboard the steamer Common- 
wealth. Scarcely had we reached the deck, when the cry 
was sounded " man overboard." An excited crowd quickly 
gathered at the gang-plank, and from the dark abyss be- 
tween the steamer and the wharf a man's body was fished 
up. He was taken to the saloon deck unconscious, re- 
storatives were quickly applied, work was briskly kept up 
for a half hour, but all in vain, and William Tew, of Com- 
pany A, had given up his life. He had indeed bidden 
good-bye to home this night, and forever ! The hearts 
that were sad at parting to-day will be sorely stricken to- 
morrow when the sad news reaches them ; and as long as 
life shall last, they will, together with us, his comrades in 
arms, sadly regret that he had not died as a soldier dies, — 
in the path of duty. 

As soon as the excitement attendant upon this sad cas- 
ualty had subsided, I began to look about me for a place to 
sleep. Finding an empty berth, I disrobed, crawled in, 
and settled down for a night's good rest, when the curtains 
were thrown apart, and a large, portly looking man poked 
his head into the inclosure, and the following dialogue en- 
sued : 

" Here, you man, you are occupying my berth. I have 
the ticket and number." 



256 KORTV-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

" All right," I replied, " I suppose I shall have to give 
it up and find another place," and I jumped out of the 
berth and began drawing on my pants, the old gent growl- 
ing all the while at being so bothered ; but upon discover- 
ing my uniform, he said in an altered tone of voice : 

" Oh, you are a soldier, are you? Returning to the 
front, I suppose. Well, sir, get right back into bed. Here 
is my number to guard you against any further intrusion." 

" But where are 3'ou going to sleep?" I inquired. 

"I'll sleep on the sofa, table, anywhere," he replied, "be- 
fore I'll deprive a soldier of all the comfort he can take. 
Now go to bed and good night, sir," and he was gone. 

We were glad to meet with one friendly stranger, for 
many of the boys were forced to sleep on deck, on account 
of not having the privilege of berths, those beds belonging, 
of course, to passengers who had bought and paid for them, 
and most of whom would not discommode themselves to 
accommodate a poor soldier, who was going forth to risk his 
Hfe and limb that they might safely enjoy these comforts. 

We awoke next morning sailing up East River, and 
about 8 o'clock landed and marched up to City Hall Bar- 
racks. Here we staid until noon, when after procuring 
rations, we marched down to the Battery and went aboard 
the steamer Commodore, and soon sailed away down the 
harbor, towards Amboy. At this place we boarded the 
cars, and without further incident or accident arrived at 
Philadelphia about dark. 

We took supper at the Soldiers' Refreshment Saloon, 
and then pursued our journey by rail, arriving at Balti- 
more the next morning. We then marched over to the 
rooms of the Union Relief Association, at which place we 
took dinner. In the afternoon we resumed our course to 
the river, and embarked on the steamer Kennebec. At six 
p. M. we left the wharf and moved slowly down the bay. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 257 

Thursday noon we arrived at Fort Monroe, landed, and 
soon after went aboard the steamer Kitty Hudson. At 
three p. m. we arrived at Norfolk, and found our regiment 
encamped just on the outskirts of the city. During our 
absence they had removed from Getty's Station to this place, 
and were detailed to perform provost duty in and around 
the city of Norfolk. 

The boys were glad to 'see us back again, and saluted 
us with cries of " How are you, vets? How are you, three 
years more? Why didn't ye lep the bounty?" etc., etc. 

Now that we had returned, they were glad that they had 
not reenlisted, and bantered us a good deal on our long 
three years in prospective. But the sequel shows that 
they were not wise in refusing to follow our example, as 
only seven months elapsed between the time of their dis- 
charge and the end of the war. Eight months after they 
got home, we arrived home also, with the advantage of a 
big bounty and of having seen the war through to the 
death. Many of them enlisted again in other regiments 
after they had been at home a while, when it would have 
been much more to their advantaore to have reenlisted in 
January and sta3'ed with us. 

The very next day after our arrival in camp, we began 
again our duties as soldiers, by being detailed as provost 
guard in and about the city. Our duties consisted in pre- 
serving order, arresting drunken men, and those without a 
pass, etc. , etc. Having a chance to attend the theatre nearly 
every evening, the time passed pleasantly until Sunday, 
April 24th, when we received marching orders. 

Our brigade was now split up. The Thirteenth and 
Tenth New Hampshire regiments and Sixteenth Connec- 
ticut left here for Newport News, and we were packed up 
and ready to go in another direction. Our men on provost 
duty were relieved by the First Regulars, and the rest of 
our regiment by the Second Massachusetts. 

17 



258 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Marching down to the wharf we embarked on the steamer 
George Leary, and bade good-bye to Norfolk and its sur- 
roundings, and when off Fort Monroe " hove to." 

At 2 o'clock the next morning we again started, heading 
up the Chesapeake, and at noon arrived off Point Lookout, 
Md. After the fog, which lay heavy on the water, had 
lifted, we hauled up to the wharf and landed. At this 
place was encamped the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. 

On page 26 of this record the reader will review an in- 
cident that took place when this regiment, the Fifth New 
Hampshire, first arrived at the seat of war in 1861. Dis- 
embarking from the cars at Bladensburg, near Washing- 
ton, in the early evening, and pitching their camp next to 
ours, we soon found they were without rations, and no way 
to get any before the next day. 

Our regiment immediately turned out of their quarters, 
camp-fires were renewed, rations of our own brought out, 
and soon the kettles were steaming merrily. In a short 
time we had provided every man of that hungry and tired 
regiment with a good hot supper. They received it with 
much pleasure and surprise, and vowed to repay it some 
time in the future. The two regiments were brigaded to- 
gether for over two months, and at "Camp California" 
were separated, and had not again met for the space of 
twenty-seven months. 

But now hearing that the Fourth Rhode Island was about 
to land here, they remembered their promise of long ago, 
and immediately set to work to make it good. As we 
landed at the wharf, we were received by a delegation from 
the Fifth, who escorted us to their camp, but a short distance 
away. Upon our arrival there we found the Fifth, our 
old comrades, drawn up in line to receive us, and after 
a few welcome remarks from their colonel, referring to our 
kindness of long ago, we were cordially invited to partake 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 259 

freely of that which they had provided in a hurry for us, 
with the assurance that had more time or notice of our 
arrival been given them a more sumptuous repast would 
have awaited us. 

Each company of the Fifth then escorted its letter com- 
pany of our regiment to their quarters and provided its en- 
tertainment, and without further ceremony we were cheered 
and feasted to our hearts' content with many good things 
not usually found among a soldier's rations. 

With much refreshing of the inner man, with stories of 
our mutual experiences during our long separation, we 
passed the time joyously until the day was well nigh spent, 
when we again formed line, marched over to the west side 
of the point, and encamped, relieving the Fourth United 
States Colored troops. The above pleasing episode of 
our soldier life served to more firmly knit the two regi- 
ments in bonds of perpetual friendship, and will ever be 
remembered with lasting pleasure, while the veterans of 
the Fifth New Hampshire and Fourth Rhode Island regi- 
ments live upon earth. 

Point Lookout is the southernmost point of Maryland, 
and is situated at the mouth of the Potomac River. Here 
were built two large inclosures, or pens, for the confinement 
of rebel prisoners, there being about eight thousand here 
at this time. The larger pen faced the east side of the 
point, and was surrounded by a high board fence stoutly 
and securely built. On the outside of this fence, about 
three feet below the top and ten feet from the ground, was 
a plank walk extending clear around the pen, and reached 
by a flight of steps at each corner. On this platform the 
sentries walked and kept guard over the prisoners inside 
the pen. The pen was nearly square in form and covered 
thirty-eight acres of ground. 

Inside the fence, upon the north side of the pen, were 



26o FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

barracks erected for facilitating the cooking operations of 
the camp. In rear of these, tents sufficient to sheker lo,- 
Goo men were placed in lines of company formation. 

On the side nearest Chesapeake Bay was a large gate. 
Every morning this gate was opened, and the prisoners 
were allowed to go out upon the beach, take a bath, or 
wash their clothes, a privilege they much enjoyed, and 
which prevented sickness among them to a great extent. 
They were permitted to stay out all day if they chose, being 
constantly under guard of the sentries on the fence. At 
sunset they were all driven into the pen again, and' the 
gates closed for the night. 

Around the inside of the pen, and about fifteen feet from 
the fence, a row of short stakes a few feet apart constituted 
the " dead line," inside of which it was death for the pris- 
oner to step. In this pen all the rebel non-commissioned 
officers and privates were confined. 

The second pen was much smaller in extent, but laid 
out about the same, and at a distance of a few feet from the 
first one. Here were confined in barracks the rebel com- 
missioned officers. 

Parties from fifty to one hundred prisoners were allowed 
to go out each day, under guard, of course, and perform 
what labor was to be done on or around the wharves, etc., 
and as a reward were permitted to collect wood for use in 
their camp. 

There were many ingenious spirits among them, who 
fashioned rings from the buttons on their coats, — some 
very handsome ones, inlaid with silver in various devices. 
Others formed toothpicks and other small trinkets from 
the rough pieces of bone saved from their meat rations. 
One party manufactured a regular steam engine, with the 
power of which they turned their rings, etc. The boiler 
was made from an old camp kettle, and the pulleys and 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 261 

running gear from old scraps of iron, bones, sardine boxes, 
and other rubbish picked up here and there, as they were 
allowed. 

When it is understood that they were not allowed to have 
knives, hammers, saws, or anything of that kind in their 
possession, it will be seen to what extent their ingenuity 
drove them to thus manufacture such articles, and I will 
here state that their workmanship was of the very best, — as 
good as could be done with all the requisite tools and ma- 
chinery ; and they asked and received a good price for their 
manufactures, finding a ready sale therefor among our 
boys, who bought them to send home as souvenirs of the 
war. 

It would seem that with plenty of food, clothing and 
good quarters, this was a desirable place for them to stay. 
The mortality from disease was very small. As soon as re- 
ported sick they were removed to the large field hospital on 
the point, and shared equally with our own sick men the 
benefits and blessings which a humane government af- 
forded, and when they died were buried with a soldier's 
honors. 

The prisoners were, as a general thing, strongljMnclined 
to the worship of God. The "poor whites " of the South, 
of which class of people the rebel army was mostly com- 
posed, were in intelligence and ambition, in literature, in 
habits and customs, and in speech and language, but one 
degree removed from the black slave, and therefore it was 
natural that they should share all the religious enthusiasm 
of the latter class. Upon every pleasant evening they 
would gather in crowds at different parts of the pen and 
hold religious services. We listened at times to their wor- 
ship, and with our eyes closed could scarcely tell whether 
the speaker was black or white. 

Their rations, in quantity and quality, were about the 



262 



FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 



same as ours, as shown by the' following table, copied Irom 
Glazier's work upon the subject : 

Rations issued by the United States Government to rebel prisoners of 
war : 

14 oz. per one ration. 
18" " 

14" " 

10 " " " 

6 qts. " 100 men. 

8 lbs. " ' " 

44 " " " 

5 " " 
iS oz. '• " " 

4 lbs. " 

5 candles " 

6 " 

2 qts. per " " 
I " " " " 

30 lbs. " " " 

iS oz. " one ration. 



Hard bread, . 

Corn meal, 

Beef, 

Bacon or pork, 

Beans, . 

Hominy, or rice. 

Sugar, . 

Rye coffee. 

Tea, 

Soap, 

Adamantine candles, 

Tallow candles. 

Salt, 

Molasses, 

Potatoes, 

Soft bread. 



Here follows a statement of clothing issued for a period 
of eight months in the year : 



Average number of prisoners 4,489. 
7,175 pairs canton flannel drawers. 
6,260 flannel shirts. 
8,807 woolen stockings. 
1,094 jackets and coats. 



3,480. pairs bootees. 
1,310 pairs trousers. 
4,378 pairs woolen blankets. 
2,6So great coats. 



Thus it will be seen that while our Union prisoners in 
the horrible pens of the South were starving and dying by 
hundreds and thousands from hunger and exposure, the 
rebel prisoners under our charge were treated with nearly 
the same amount of food, clothing, and medical care as our 
own troops in active service. 

It is unnecessary in this record to ofter any further com- 
parison between the treatment of prisoners on either side. 
The youngest school child is well acquainted with the his- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 263 

toiy of our prisoners at Libby, Belle Isle, Millen, Ander- 
sonville, and other pestilential dens of the South, and as 
the hidden facts are brought to light in these later days, 
the shameful evidence against the rulers of the so-called 
Confederacy in regard to their brutal and inhuman treat- 
ment of our defenseless prisoners, grows more dense, and 
blackens still deeper that page of our history "that is well 
calculated to shock even the rude sensibilities of an Amer- 
ican savage." 

Nearly every day large numbers of " fresh fish," as we 
called the new arrival of prisoners, were landed here, 
mostly captured by the Army of the Potomac. These 
rebels, dressed in rags very generally, were brought here 
upon our transports, consorted by one or two gun-boats. 
Details of guards attended their landing, and inspected 
their clothes and traps, taking away only the followino- 
articles : knives, arms, hardware of any sort, and money 
to a certain amount, all of which was accredited to them 
on a book kept for the purpose, and returned to them at 
their discharge or exchange. They were then marched 
into the pen, served with a good square meal, and assigned 
to good comfortable quarters. 

At night, in addition to the watch of the sentries over the 
camp, a patrol was sent inside the pen. They were re- 
quired to walk each a certain part of the camp all night, 
or until relieved. This patrol was composed of six or eight 
non-commissioned officers, and were armed to the teeth with 
a cutlass and brace of revolvers. Their orders were to keep 
the camp quiet through the night, to stop all talking in the 
quarters, to allow no one to approach them without giving 
a certain sign, known only to those in command or on 
duty as patrol, and to fire at the; least sign of insubordina- 
tion. The most careful and trusty men were appointed, 



264 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and their orders were of the strictest character, as their 
position was one of great danger. Six men, in the darkness 
of the night, in the midst of 15,000 deadly enemies, stood 
little chance of getting out of that inclosure alive, and 
they were not to be trifled with by any means. They 
generally entered the pen quietly about 9 o'clock at night, 
and came out at day-break next morning. The writer had 
the pleasure of serving on this patrol for one night and 
that w^as enough for him. 

Of course opportunity was afforded those w^ho wished to 
desert the Confederacy to get outside the pen by the con- 
nivance of our officers and men, and after making their 
desire known to the guard or some officer in a secret 
manner, would be removed at night from the pen, or de- 
tailed to work outside during the day. The oath of allegi- 
ance would be administered, they would be clothed in a 
suit of Uncle Sam's blue, and w^ere either enlisted, sent 
North, or put to work in the quartermaster's department. 
While we were at the point many of them availed them- 
selves of this privilege. 

And now having given a description of our surround- 
ings, I will take up the thread of our history where it w^as 
dropped at pitching camp, and proceed. 

April 27th, was our first detail for guard duty on the 
pen. There were forty-four posts along the line of guard, 
besides patrol and supernumeraries. Consequently, it re- 
quired nearly the whole regiment to form three reliefs. We 
held our position all day and night without anything 
unusual transpiring, and were relieved next morning by the 
Fifth New Hampshire, who had been stationed here some 
little time. 

April 30th, Lieutenant-sColonel Buffum, who had been 
away for some time, returned, and took command of the 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 265 

Orders were now received relative to a transfer into the 
navy. Several of our regiment embraced the opportunity 
offered and laid down the rifle and equipments, to serve 
the remainder of their time on the decks of our gun-boats. 
About every second or third day came our turn of guard 
duty on the pen and left us but little time for drill. 

May 7th, just before guard-mount, a sad accident oc- 
curred in the guard room. Patrick Gallagher, of Com- 
pany A, and Charles Melarkey, of Company F, were 
engaged in fooling, when the rifle in the hands of the latter 
accidently discharged, the ball crashing through the head 
of Gallagher, causing almost instant death. This sad aflair 
cast a gloom over us for awhile, and stopped further foohng 
with loaded rifles. 

May 8th, we attended the execution of a young soldier 
named Henry E. Burnham, of Company E, Fifth New 
Hampshire. It was in all respects similar to those re- 
corded on a previous page of this book, and for the same 
crime, desertion, and we will not attempt a further descrip- 
tion of this sad affair, other than to say that no means were 
left untried to gain for him a reprieve, or commutation of 
sentence, but in vain. Before he was shot he made a few 
impressive remarks coupled with good advice to his com- 
rades, and shook hands with each one of the firing party. 
Two volleys were fired before resulting fatally. After the 
execution, we returned to camp and took up our line of 
duties once more. 

Having a beautiful sandy beach for bathing, the even- 
ings were improved by a good wash after the heat and dust 
of the day. Large numbers of prisoners were daily arriv- 
incr from the front and at last we were forced to turn over 
for their use our large Sibley tents, (Oh, the magnanimity 
of Uncle Samuel !) and to content ourselves with little shel- 



266 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

ter tents in future. After a day's work resetting our foun- 
dation, we made out to fix our quarters in good shape, con- 
sidering the size of our covering. 

In consideration of the large number of prisoners under 
our care, (now some fifteen thousand, and increasing day by 
day,) it was deemed advisable to have the force at this place 
fully prepared for any emergency. There were only four 
small regiments, or about twenty-five hundred men here, to 
guard this large body of prisoners. United and organized in 
one grand effort, these rebels might possibly break through 
the fence that surrounded them, and by sheer force of num- 
bers overpower us and gain control of the point. Their 
escape thereby would, of course, be assured. A rumor was 
rife among us that such an idea was under consideration 
by them, and in consequence, gun-boats were sent for and 
anchored in line of battle on each side of the point, from 
which position they could sweep with their broadsides, 
every inch of that flat surface ; and our troops were supplied 
with everything needful in case of a " break." 

Lookout Point is in the form of a peninsula, connected 
with the mainland by a narrow neck, over which runs the 
road to Baltimore. At this neck was erected a small earth- 
work, capable of accommodating a battery of field artillery. 
On the opposite side of the peninsula and directly in rear of 
our camp was another small strip of land, the interval be- 
tween these two strips being a salt marsh or swamp, impass- 
able. On this latter neck of land a line of heavy stockade 
was planted pierced for rifle-men. At these two points the 
rebels would have to meet us, in case of an attack. 

To test the efficiency of our regiment at such times, 
while we were off" duty one hot afternoon, and most of us, 
in our shirt and drawers, were lying asleep in our tents, 
suddenly the long roll was beat. Knowing that an out- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 267 

break was expected at any time, and fully alive to the 
nnportance of the situation, we hurried on our clothes and 
equipments, scarcely stopping to glance over towards the 
prison-pen, supposing, of course, there was a "break" 
somewhere, and snatching our rifles, hastened to our post 
m hne ot battle, at the rear of the stockade near our camp. 
To show the celerity of our movements, and the efficiency 
of the regiment in time of alarm, I will state it was just 
three mmutes by my watch from the time the drum began 
to beat until the regiment was in line behind the stockade, 
ready for action. And this, in view of the fact that we were 
unaware of any such movement to be made, and most of 
us were half dressed and asleep in our quarters, we call 
pretty quick time. 

May 29th, our old friends, the Fifth New Hampshire, 
havmg received marching orders, were relieved by a reg- 
iment of "invalids," and left for the front. They had 
hoped, as their time was nearly out, to be allowed to stay 
here during the remainder of their service, having done 
their share of fighting with the Army of the Potomac. 
But the services of such veterans were too valuable for them 
to be left long at rest, and they departed from the point 
with our hearty cheers and best washes. Subsequently we 
heard of their encounter with the enemy at the Wilderness 
and Cold Harbor ; and sustaining, as ever, with their bravery 
the good name they had won, were nearly cut ot pieces ; 
and thus, many who had trusted to see home again with- 
out any more fighting, had at last laid their bones to bleach 
on the bloody field of battle. These were part of the many 
thousands that General Grant sacrificed from the Rapidan 
to Petersburg, in a vain attempt to outflank or outfight Gen. 
Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. But 
our turn at the front was to come soon. 



268 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The regiment of " invalids " that had been stationed here 
in their place, was some seven or eight hundred strong, and 
was composed mostly of large, heavy, fat, strong men, 
most of whom never saw a day's fighting in their life, — 
men who had played their little game of " disability" so 
well, as to receive a transfer from their own active regi- 
ments into the " Invalid," or, as the boys used to call it, 
the " Diarrhoea Corps," and were thus permitted to serve 
out their time guarding hospitals, prison-pens, etc., return- 
ing home with all the honors of old veterans. 

Great, stout, rugged men they were, generally, loaded 
with knapsacks as huge in proportions as those we saw at 
Getty's Station ; a crowd of dead-beats they were, whose 
only affliction was ' ' shell-fever " and a heavy appetite for 
rations. A few among them bore honorable wounds, or 
were honestly disabled for active duty at the front ; but 
these were the exception, and greatly in the minority. 

The second day after their arrival here they were de- 
tailed for guard duty on the pen, and mustered enough 
out of the seven or eight hundred to form three reliefs. 
These made out to stay, most of them, till night, but 
when the second relief was called to fall in at lo o'clock, 
scarcely a score of them could be found. It was too tire- 
some, too much like work, not to say dangerous, for them 
to stand guard in the presence of so many rebels, especially 
duringthe night, and so they had gone back to camp, or were 
hid away from their officers, and it was found necessar}^ 
to detail a large force from our regiment to fill out the 
quota of guards. Thus we were forced to do double duty 
on account of these " beats." 

But to our great relief, the One Hundred and Thirty- 
ninth Ohio Volunteers (a regiment of one hundred days' 
men) arrived, and our duties were made somewhat lighter. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 269 

Tuesday night, May 31st, an escape of seven of the 
rebel prisoners was made, and according to the story of 
one of them, subsequently captured, was effected in the 
following manner : 

During Tuesday, while enjoying their daily privilege on 
the beach, these seven men managed to bury themselves 
in the sand. A large crowd of them would gather on the 
beach and hold a meeting, being addressed by one of their 
number, and thus diverting the attention of the guard on the 
fence, while in the centre of the crowd and screened from 
the sentries' gaze, one of them dug a hole in the soft sand 
and buried himself, being carefully covered by the rest, 
and leaving only an aperture to breathe through. This 
was done at a point which the tide would cover after dark. 
After all was secure, the crowd would disperse and leave 
him to work out his plan as best he could. 

When it came evening they were all driven into the pen, 
leaving, of course, the seven buried ones to wait for dark- 
ness and the rise of the tide. As they felt the water creep- 
ing upon them it was an easy matter to wiggle themselves 
out of the sand and noiselessly crawl out to deeper water, 
when they boldly struck out, and were soon swimming 
away to a spot above the battery, where they landed and 
made tracks for Baltimore. 

But a party of colored troops, out foraging on the Balti- 
more road, discovered two of them and effected their cap- 
ture. They were brought back to the point, and placed in 
the guard-house under ball and chain. 

June nth, the colored regiment left here for a raid into 
Virginia, and on the 17th sent back as a part of their cap- 
ture a large lot of horses and cattle, returning them- 
selves on the 20th. With this exception, the time passed 
off, occupied only by the usual guard and camp duties, 



270 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

and devising means to keep cool this terribly hot weather, 
until Sunday, June 26th, when we received orders to pre- 
pare for another campaign at the front. 

We were relieved by the Tenth Regiment, Veteran Re- 
serve Corps, and at seven p. m., Friday, July ist, we 
struck tents, and bidding good-bye to old Point Lookout, 
with its prison-pens, sand-flies, and dead-beats, we em- 
barked on board the steamer Eastern State, and were soon 
floating away down the Chesapeake. 

Our few months' respite from the battle-line was ended, 
and henceforth until the end of the war we must bear the 
heat and burden of an active campaign. At daybreak 
next morning we found ourselves nearing Fort Monroe, 
and passing old Newport News, sailed slowly up the James 
River, bound to once more unite ourselves with our old 
Ninth Corps and the Army of the Potomac. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 27 1 

yu/y, 1S64. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG. 



"^HE Army of the Potomac had at this time swung 
around on the south and east side of Petersbursr 



T -, 

J_ and Richmond, and under the leadership of Gen. 
U. S. Grant had sat down before these places in regular 
siege, in which we, as a regiment, were destined to bear 
an eventful and important part. 

About 3 o'clock on the afternoon of July 2d we reached 
Bermuda Hundred, and sent ashore for orders, after 
which we dropped down the stream to City Point, and an- 
chored. The next morning we landed at City Point, and 
immediately set out for the headquarters of the Ninth 
Corps. After marching about ten miles through the heat 
and dust, we halted near Burnside's headquarters for the 
time being. The Ninth Corps held that part of the line 
extending from near the Appomattox River to the Jerusa- 
lem Plank Road. 

We were situated now about a mile in the rear of the 
main line of works, and could see a portion of the rebel 
line, and hear the incessant fire of the pickets. Our regi- 
ment now numbered about three hundred and fifty, all told. 

On the next day, the 4th of July, a detail from the 
reofiment was sent over to the immediate rear of our main 



272 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

line, to clear up a place for our camp. The site chosen 
was located in a piece of woods at the foot of a succession 
of hills, rising one above the other to the edge of the city of 
Petersburg. 

On the top of this first hill our main line was located. 
Still farther on were stationed our picket lines and rifle-pits, 
the intervening ground being cut up by a net-work of tra- 
verses, rifle-pits, flankers, and covered ways extending in 
every direction, the better to protect our troops in their 
movements back and forth from the rear to the front line, 
and to facilitate their ingress or egress, in case of an attack. 
These passages, or covered ways, were five or six feet deep 
and four feet wide, and being constantly under fire night 
and day were, of necessity, provided with every means tor 
the protection of our troops from the enemy's bullets. 

The picket line consisted of a trench about six feet wide 
and deep enough for a man to walk almost upright, and 
running irregularly from left to right. Having been dug 
directly through the battle-field of the 17th of June, pre- 
vious, many remains of dead bodies were often seen, and 
in some places, near where a lot of men were buried, the 
sides of the pits were full of maggots, and a sickening 
stench filled the atmosphere. On top of the rifle-pits loop- 
holes were made for the pickets to fire through. 

The rebel rifle-pits, or picket line, occupied a position 
somewhat higher than ours, and from one to three hun- 
dred yards distant. Their main line was located along the 
brow of the hill, and from a quarter to a half mile away, 
being about one and a half miles in front of the city. The 
dangerous proximity of the opposing lines of pickets, (be- 
ing in some places within easy speaking distance,) and they 
having the advantage of us by occup3'ing higher ground, 
enabling them to deliver their fire almost directly into 
our lines, those of us on duty in the rifle-pits who were 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 273 

careless enough to stand up straight, at once became the 
target of a hundred rebel rifles. Consequently, many of 
our men were killed from this cause alone, and it was a 
common spectacle to see some one carried to the rear almost 
every hour, dead or badly wounded, as the lire was inces- 
sant day and night. 

Many forts were erected along the line on both sides, 
holding batteries of from three to eight or ten guns each, 
and of calibres varying from the light twelve-pounder to 
the large sixty-four seige guns. A battery of seven of these 
siege guns was located a short distance on our left. They 
were called by the boys " the seven sisters." One of them 
threw a thirty-two pound rifled shot over into the city of 
Petersburg once in every fifteen minutes, and from the 
noise made by the shot hurding through the air resembling 
the puffing of a locomotive, was called the " Petersburg 
Express." 

From the elevation of the rebel picket line, their bullets 
fell thick and fast into and around our camp, sometimes 
striking the ground, piercing our tents, or whizzing away 
through the air above us with a noise resembling the wail 
of a cat in distress. Of course we soon became used to 
minie-balls, shot, and mortar shell, and the sight of dead 
or wounded men in our midst. 

Tuesday, July 5th, we marched down into the woods, 
and into our new camp. It seemed like going into battle 
as we neared the place, and while we halted in front of our 
new home, two of our number were struck down by rebel 
balls, but fortunately were not badly wounded. As our 
comrade, Ned Carey, remarked, " A man was as well enti- 
tled to get killed here, as in the middle of a battle-field," 
and no one was safe, even for an instant. Here we found 
the Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers, and were camped 
beside them. 



18 



274 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

The nature of the place demanded a name of some sort, 
and it was accordingly called the " Nine Holes," from the 
fact that, as in the game of whist, where this expression is 
used, it was a hard place to get out of, and honors were of 
no account. 

July yth, two more of our men were wounded in camp. 
The next day, about five in the afternoon, the enemy made 
a sortie to carry a portion of our lines, and quite a heavy 
fire resulted. At this time I was sitting out behind a tree, 
enjoying my supper of coffee and hard-tack. The usual 
picket-fire could be heard, but nothing alarming, when 
suddenly, down on the right, the Johnnies leaped out of 
their pits in force and charged our lines. The pickets 
immediately opened a heavy fire upon them which they 
could not withstand, and sent them back to their lines 
again, badly repulsed. 

At this moment the battery just above us on the hill 
opened fire upon them, when instantly the whole rebel line 
in our immediate front became a sheet of flame and smoke, 
and a shower of rebel bullets, thick as hail, flew down 
into and around our camp. 

I concluded it was best to change base, and snatching 
up my cup of coffee with one hand and haversack with 
the other, I started for the shelter of my tent, just in time 
to face the whole storm of leaden hail. Seeing it strike 
all around me and in the dust at my feet, I made one des- 
perate plunge for my quarters, where my comrades, Fiske, 
Williams, and Chace, were closely hugging the little breast- 
work that formed the back of our tent, and landed like an 
avalanche in their midst. My coffee struck Williams in 
the face, my haversack danced around Fiske's head, while 
I landed square on the belly of Shoemaker Chace, nearly 
knocking the breath out of him, who yelled he'd be blank- 
etv-blank blanked if he ever saw such a thundering fool 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 275 

in all his life. But the firing soon lulled down, — much 
quicker than the revengeful feelings of my comrades, — and 
I finished my supper minus coffee. 

On the nth, another of our men was wounded in camp. 
On the 1 2th, I was one of a party detailed to carry abatis 
through the traverse out to the picket-line in the night. 
Such work could not be done in the day-time. When it 
became pitch dark, a party of us started forward, dragging 
quite a large and heavy tree-top, already cut and sharp- 
ened, to place in front of our picket-line, and while going 
through a low and dangerous part of the traverse, we 
started on a run with it, and turning a corner suddenly, the 
unwieldly thing whirled over in such a manner as to catch 
me near the waist, and lifted me off my feet, head and 
shoulders above the works. The balls whizzed fiercely 
past my face. The tree, impelled by the force of a dozen 
men, whirled me around, tearing my clothes and bruising 
me badly. I cried to the men, "For God's sake, stop; 
you are crushing me to death." 

But they rushed on with a sense of their own danger, un- 
heeding, until a lucky turn of the old tree released me, 
and I made my way back to camp, bruised and sore, but 
thankful it was no worse. 

On the 14th, our whole regiment was detailed for duty in 
the rifle-pits. Our position was a little to the right of a 
point opposite our camp. The time of relieving pickets was 
in the evening, that the darkness might shield us some- 
what from the watchful eyes of the rebels, and we should 
thereby escape considerable fire. On our way into the pit 
we were obliged to move over the hazardous places on a 
run, stooping low, and following on as best we could. At 
last we entered the covered way, which after sundry turn- 
ings and twistings, brought us to the front line of rifle-pits. 

The regiment that we relieved immediately moved back 



276 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

to the rear in the same manner, and they having gone, 
we began to look about us. We were cautioned to keep 
down out of sight, and in passing from one place to another 
were obliged to bend very low for safety from the rebel 
sharp-shooters. 

The next day opened hot and dr}^ and we suffered 
much from the foul air of the pit. As we lay here that af- 
ternoon an artillery duel between the two lines commenced, 
and the falling mortar shells sometimes came too close to 
be comfortable. 

Christopher Plunkett, of my company, (B), was hit by a 
piece of shell in the leg, breaking it in two places, and sev- 
ering the arteries. As I observed the blood gushing forth 
like water from a pump, I jumped for him, and with the help 
of Comrade James Kenney, tied his leg above the wound 
with my handkerchief, and stopped the flow of blood, 
which would soon have ended his career. He was taken 
to the hospital on a stretcher, and his leg was amputated, 
after which he recovered and went back to Rhode Island. 

Several comrades were passed through the pit from other 
companies or regiments, also badly wounded. Reliefs 
were kept firing night and day, and so close was the fire, 
and so true the aim, that it was almost impossible for us to 
fire through the loop-holes without crouching down, and 
lifting the rifles over our heads. A hat placed on the 
end of a rammer and held just above the top of the works, 
would instantly be pierced with bullets, the rebels thinking 
it contained a Yankee head trying to look over. 

We were on duty here three days and nights, when 
early on the fourth night we were relieved by the Fifty- 
eighth Massachusetts, and made the best of our wa}^ back 
to camp. We had just lain down for a night's rest when 
about 10 o'clock we w^ere silently routed out, and formed 
line in rear of Fort Morton, near our camp, and lay in 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 277 

support Of this battery all night, as an attack was expected. 
i3ut no alarm occurring, we managed to sleep until morn- 
mg. 

On the morning of July i8th, a number of us was sitting 
here,- not having yet any orders to return to camp,- and 
holdmg some conversation, when a ball passed through our 
midst, and with a thug struck Sergt. Cromwell P. Myrick 
m the head, passing entirely through and striking in a pile 
of haversacks beyond. He was taken to the hospital and 
lay unconscious for over forty-eight hours, when he died. 
Poor " Crom" ! He was a genial comrade and a good sol- 
dier, and we missed him greatly. 

At ten that morning we received orders and returned to 
camp, to find three more of our men badly wounded ; one 
of them, a drummer boy, being hit in three different places, 
did not long survive his wounds. 

On the 19th the regiment again went out to the former 
place on picket. The second day out, Sergt. Arthur Mc- 
Cann, of my company, (B,) was struck in the leg by a piece 
of shell which cut a solid piece of flesh from his \^g about 
two inches square. He was carried to the hospital, and 
was never able to return to duty again. 

Thus, nearly every time we left camp for picket duty in 
or around this place, we came back minus a number of 
men killed or wounded, the average number of men as re- 
ported at Ninth Corps headquarters, being about ninety 
daily, either killed or wounded, out of the whole corps, so 
continuous, close, and fatal was the storm of rebel bullets 
shot and shell. And yet we lived in this place and stood 
this kind of work night and d^^y for a fcriod of six weeks! 
On the 2ist we yere again relieved of picket, but had 
no sooner got into camp than we were ordered, as before 
to lay out on the main line all night. On the 23d, two' 



278 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

days later, we went into the pits on picket again. The 
mortar shells from the enemy's batteries dropped around 
us pretty lively, but we lost none of our own company at 
this time, although there were many narrow escapes. One 
large eight-inch mortar shell dropped down plump into the 
midst of a group of our men lying down in the bottom of the 
pit ; they whirled quickly over on their faces ; the shell 
burst, its pieces flying upward in an oblique direction, 
scattering the dirt over them, but doing them no harm. 

One evening in camp four of our men were engaged in 
playing poker. The money was already placed in the 
"pot" and each was examining his " hand," when a rebel 
bullet struck the pole of their tent, glanced downward, and 
swept the money from the board, passing out between them 
without further injury. They did not care to play any 
more that night. 

By these minor details are shown the beauties of siege 
life, and it will be seen to what severe and dangerous duties 
we were at all times subject. We had lost, up to this time, 
twentv-five men killed or wounded in twenty days ; and all 
around us other regiments were suffering in like manner. 
By being accustomed to sights which would make other 
men's hearts sick to behold, our men soon became heart- 
hardened, and sometimes scarcely gave a pitying thought 
to those who were unfortunate enough to get hit. Men can 
get accustomed to everything ; and the daily sight of blood 
and mangled bodies so blunted their finer sensibilities as 
almost to blot out all love, all sympathy from the heart, 
and to bring more into prominence the baser qualities of 
man, selfishness, greed, and revenge. 

As an illustration of this condition I cite one case that 
came within my own observation. 

One afternoon, two of the stretcher bearers brought out of 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 279 

the covered ways a man who had been fatally wounded, 
and setting down their stretcher near a small group of 
mounds, just above our camp on the hill, they began to dig 
his grave. From their actions I perceived the man was 
not yet dead, and went up to watch them. After diggino- 
a hole about a foot deep, they lit their pipes and sat down 
to smoke and talk over matters, and wait for him to die. 

They betrayed not the least sense of emotion or feeling 
for the poor wretch who lay there before them, gasping in 
the agonies of death, and when he had breathed his last, 
roughly tipped him over into the hole, and covering him 
with a fewshovelsful of earth, picked up their stretcher and 
went back into the pits for the next one. 

Such scenes were common, and few there were that were 
killed here that got more than a blanket for a coffin, or as 
much as a prayer over their burial. And yet all this lack of 
sympathy was without malice, and but the result of living 
night and day within the " valley of the shadow of death." 



28o FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

July, 1S64. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE MINE. 



NEARLY opposite our part of the line, and occupy- 
ing a rise of ground about one hundred and fifty 
yards in our front, stood a rebel earth-work mount- 
ing six large siege guns. From its elevated position, it com- 
manded within the range of its guns a great part of our line. 
In rear, and a little to the right of this fort, was another emi- 
nence, on the crest of which was located a church and cem- 
etery. This latter position was considered the key to the 
whole rebel line. To gain possession of this point would 
insure the perhaps permanent defeat of the rebel army and 
the downfall of Petersburg. 

But the way to this Cemetery Hill, as it was called, lay 
directly through the above fort, and the latter being impreg- 
nable to a direct assault, plans were agitated to remove it. 
At last Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants, of the Forty-eighth 
Pennsylvania, hit upon a plan by which he proposed to un- 
dermine the fort by digging a trench directly through the 
hill, reaching to the centre of the fort, and by the use of 
several tons of powder, blow it out of existence. Troops 
being ready, could in the confusion that would naturally 
ensue, charge through the breach without much opposition, 
and occupy the crest of Cemetery Hill beyond, thus divid- 
ing and outflanking the whole rebel position. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 281 

Our old General Burnside heartily indorsed this idea,, 
but the other generals, his superiors in rank (but in nothing 
else), Grant and Meade, snubbed the idea and the men 
that originated it. But Colonel Pleasants was so confident 
of the result that General Grant acquiesced, and gave per- 
mission for the work to go ahead, as Grant himself says, 
"as a means of keeping the men occupied." It would have 
been better for General Grant to have visited the front line 
occasionally and stayed a day with us, under fire, if he car- 
ried the idea that his men were not sufficiently " occupied." 

The Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment being mostly 
composed of coal miners in their native state, was detailed 
for the work. The mine was commenced on the 25th of 
June in the ravine in rear of our rifle-pits, and about five 
hundred feet from the rebel fort, and dug almost on a level 
for a distance of 200 feet, and then on a rising grade of thir- 
teen and one half-feet to the 100, being nearly square, or 
about four feet wide by four and a half high. 

The earth was brought out in cracker boxes and dumped 
in the ravine near by. For a month the miners labored day 
and night. At length on the 25th of July, the end of the 
excavation, or gallery, lay directly under the centre of the 
fort, and about twenty feet below it. Two wings were now 
excavated to the right and left, thus forming with the gal- 
lery, the shape of a letter T. In these were placed four 
wooden tanks capable of holding a ton of powder each. 

On the 27th I was one of a party detailed to carry the 
powder into the mine. It was large, coarse blasting pow- 
der, and was placed in kegs of twenty-five pounds each. 
These kegs were then placed in bags and slung over our 
shoulders. We moved quickly over the space between 
the teams and traverse to avoid getting a bullet in one of 
these kegs of powder, as they were continually flying all 
around us, and left the kegs at the mouth of the gallery.. 



282 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Here they were taken by the miners and carried into the 
magazine underneath the fort. In this manner four tons of 
powder were deposited in the large wooden tanks. 

A wooden trough was then laid to communicate with 
the outside. This was half filled wath loose powder and 
fuses laid through the centre of it. The space betw^een the 
trough and the sides of the gallery was then filled with bags 
of earth well tamped in and extending ten or twelve feet 
from the magazine outward, presenting a solid wall, and 
thus determining the force of the explosion upward. The 
mine now being completed, the 30th of July was fixed upon 
as the day the great breach should be made. 

General Burnside's plan of attack was, in a few words, as 
follows : " To form t\vo columns, and to charge with them 
through the breach caused by the explosion of the mine, 
then to sweep along the enemy's line, right and left, clearing 
away the artillery and infantry by attacking in flank and 
rear, — other columns to make for the ' crest ', and the 
rest of the army to cooperate." 

General Ferrero's division of colored troops was selected 
to lead the assault, for the reason that all the white troops 
in the Ninth Corps had been constantly at work in the rifle- 
pits for a long time, and besides being worn out with hard 
service, " had acquired the habit of sheltering themselves 
from the enemy's missiles. 

" The colored troops, on the contrary, were fresh and 
strong, their ranks full, their morale unexceptionable, and 
their spirits elated by the thought of the approaching con- 
flict. They had been drilled with especial reference to this 
movement, and their officers were conversant with all its 
details, the ground to be traversed, and the work to be 
done."* 

If this plan, so feasible and plain that the most ignorant 

From Woodbury's Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps . 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 283 

soldier in the ranks could readily understand its import, 
had been seconded and approved by General Meade and 
supported by General Grant we should not have to record 
an inglorious and disastrous defeat. But from the first, both 
of these officers had shown an obstinancy to all of Burn- 
side's plans, seemingly determined to doubt the success of 
any movement that did not originate with themselves. 

Whether this arose from a feeling of jealousy on the 
part of Meade, or apathy and arrogance on the part of 
Grant, let the world decide. One thing is certain, General 
Grant has placed himself in a bad light in regard to this 
matter, for while in his Personal Memoirs he states that 
the failure was •' all due to the inefficiency on the part of the 
corps commander," (General Burnside), he testifies in his 
examination before the Committee on the Conduct of the 
War, that " General Burnside wanted to put his colored 
division in front, and I believe if he had done so, it -would 
have been a success" The failure then, according, — not 
only to General Grant's testimony, but to the freely ex- 
pressed opinion of evcjy intelligent soldier in that corps, 
was not due to the "inefficiency of General Burnside," 
but because he was not allowed to carry out his original 
plan of battle and " put his colored division in front." 

As a means of drawing away a portion of the rebel 
army from Petersburg, and of weakening the lines to be 
assaulted in our front, two divisions of the Second Corps 
were sent up to Deep Bottom, on the extreme right, and on 
the 28th made a demonstration in force at that point. Af- 
ter attaining their object, they withdrew quietly, and re- 
turned to this place, taking position near our camp, as the 
rear line of support. 

Being detailed for our usual picket duty on the 27th, our 
regiment occupied their accustomed place in the " pits." 
As yet, among the men, nothing definite was known of the 



284 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

exact time fixed for the explosion. At length, at midnight 
of the 29th, Colonel Buffum informed us that the mine was 
to be sprung at half-past three the next morning, and that 
General Ledlie's division of our corps was to lead the as- 
sault, with our division (Potter's) on the right, and Gene- 
ral Wilcox's division on the left. A detail was immediately 
made to remain on "firing duty," occupying the place of 
the regiment, and the remainder of us prepared for action. 

The night was still and calm, broken only by the crack 
of the rifles and whiz of the minie-balls over us, denoting 
the ever-watchful eyes of our enemies across the way. We 
that were ready for the part assigned us, sat there in the 
rifle-pit, thinking of home and all that was dear to us, and 
of the bloody work that we must soon undertake, wonder- 
ing how many of us would, ere the setting of the next day's 
sun, have passed away in the roar and smoke of battle and 
bidden farewell to earth ; and we looked upon each other's 
faces and whispered messages to be left with those who were 
likely to be kept out of the fight, as if indeed we were 
about to part with them for the last time. And well were 
those looks cast, and well those messages given t"or many 
of our comrades who returned not ascain. 

One, two, three o'clock arrived. All was activity in our 
rear lines, but no movement on our part yet. At half-past 
three we received our orders, and bidding good-bye to the 
firing party left behind, we quietly filed out of the " pits " 
and made our way back to camp. Stripping ourselves of 
everything cumbersome, taking only haversack, canteen, 
gun, and equipments, we took our place in line in rear of 
our camp, ready for the explosion and its subsequent work. 

The troops forming the assaulting column were in position, 
ready to spring at the word of command. The artillery of 
no cannon and fifty mortars were waiting, already trained 
on the enemy's works and with the lanyards pulled taut. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 285 

ready to fire at the moment of the explosion, and all atten- 
tion was directed to that doomed fort, which we momentarily 
expected to see rise in the air. 

The rebel pickets continued their usual fire, all uncon- 
scious of the terrible power at work beneath them.. The 
fuse was lighted at the proper time, but being of a poor 
quality, it burned but a little while and went out. It was 
again lighted, and every man watched eagerly the space 
the fort occupied, expecting to see it go up ; but yet no 
explosion. The fuse had gone out again in the gallery. 
At quarter past four Lieutenant Douty and Sergeant Rees, 
of the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, volunteered, and enter- 
ing the chamber, once more lit the fuse. It was at this time 
daylight, and the rebel flag could be seen waving over the 
doomed garrison, and the silent excitement of our troops, 
kept waiting so long, became intense. 

At twenty minutes of 5 o'clock, and just as the sun was 
rising in splendor in the eastern heavens, the hissing of the 
fuse ceased, the earth gave one great throb, and with a 
noise as of muffled thunder, the fort rose into the air in one 
huge jet, mingled with great clods of earth, guns, gun car- 
riages, timber, and human beings. Slowly, and more 
slowly it ascended, spreading out like a great fan, until it 
reached an elevation of two hundred feet or more, when it 
balanced a moment in space, and fell back with a sound of 
thunder to the earth, — a complete wreck. 

The sight, — most awful to behold, — the shrieks of the 
doomed garrison, the roar and rush of the huge guns and 
timber down from the great black clouds of smoke that 
were curling and unfolding over our heads, and the min- 
gled noise and shock of the explosion, struck terror into 
the hearts of the bravest of our troops, and for a moment 
not a man stirred out of his tracks, not an eye was taken oft' 
that awful spectacle. 



286 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

But the troops soon recovered from the effects of the ex- 
plosion ; the artillery opened along the line, and General 
Ledlie's division leaped our rifle-pits and charged over the 
field, followed by General Wilcox's division on the left, 
and by ours, General Potter's, on the right. 

" Forward, Fourth Rhode Island," came the word, and 
we started up the hill towards the traverse. Halting here 
a moment to let the troops in front of us get out of the 
way, we received the compliments of the rebels in the 
shape of a shrapnel that burst over us, striking down 
Sergeant Jillson, color-bearer, and one or two others. 
This happened in less than ten minutes after the explosion, 
and yet General Grant says in his Memoirs^ '■'■'iX. was 
an hour " before the rebel artillery began to play upon us. 

Advancing through the traverse to the front line, we 
halted again. One of the miners was standing in front of the 
"gallery," A nine-inch mortar shell descended quickly, 
bursting in his face. He was torn to pieces, while his hat 
was blown straight up in the air for a height of fifty feet. 
The Fifth Corps in line here at the breast-works, were rap- 
idly firing on the rebel line, above which could be seen the 
national colors, and the cry was raised " Cease firing, you 
are firing on your own men." But our boys of the Fourth, 
with the memory of that corn field at Antietam, responded, 
" Give 'em h — 1. They played that on us at Antietam." 

"Forward the Fourth " comes again, and we leap the 
breast-works, and with a cheer charge across the field to the 
" crater." The explosion has left a hole twenty feet deep 
and sixty long, and this hole we find filled with the men 
of Marshall's brigade of Ledlie's division. Bartlett's 
brigade of the same division is also here, crowded up, 
unable to advance. There is a confliction of orders. There 
seems to be no one in particular in authority. General Led- 
lie himself is not here ; General Potter is endeavorincr to 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 287 

extricate our division from the mass of troops with which 
we have got entangled, and while waiting for orders we lie 
flat to the ground. All around us lies the debris of the 
explosion, and the bodies of the 200 men composing the 
rebel garrison are protruding from the earth in all direc- 
tions, heads, hands, arms, and feet can be seen, some of 
the poor men in the last throes of dissolution. 

The rebel line has recovered from its surprise, and is 
pouring in a concentrated fire upon us from front and 
flank, at close range, General Grant's Meinoh's to the 
contrary, notwithstanding. We must do something ; we 
can't lay here ; we must advance beyond this line to the 
crest, if possible. Regiment after regiment in front of us 
is called to lead another charge on the crest, but the men 
heed it not. They are fortifying. That which Burnside 
feared — the old habit of sheltering themselves — is upon 
them. They are digging and tugging away at the dis- 
mounted guns of the fort, to mount them on the edge of the 
crater. They are turning the works to gain shelter from 
the tempest of shot and shell that is tearing them to pieces. 
Their officers shout in vain. Grasping the colors of their 
regiments, they leap the edge of the crater ^nd call for 
their men to follow. A few respond, but once over in the 
face of that fire they recoil, and come bleeding back to the 
hole again. 

" Fourth Rhode Island " comes from Colonel Buftum, on 
the other edge of the crater. We rally around the flag, a 
little party of fifty or sixty. "Keep your eyes on the colors," 
** Forward the Fourth," and away we go, and advance on 
a run toward the crest, through the hottest fire we ever ex- 
perienced. But in spite of all their officers' exertions, the 
regiments back in the crater will not follow us. We reach 
a distance of 100 yards. We halt, and he close to the earth 
waiting for support, and ready to advance again, ready to 



288 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

lead the whole Ninth Corps, if need be, on to the works in 
front of us. Volley after volley sweeps over us, and in a 
moment the enemy has trained their guns and mortars upon 
the spot where we lie. We are digging our noses into the 
ground, to escape the tire. Whirr, chuck, comes a big 
rifle shell, directly in our midst. Striking the ground, it 
bounds away, but leaves a hole about four feet long 
scooped out in the earth. Comrade Frank Tompkins and 
I see it at the same time. Instinctively we both dive for 
it for a shelter, and reaching it together, quarrel for pos- 
session. " Get out of this hole, it's mine," " Get out your- 
self, I got here first," " Get out, or I'll knock you out," 
But the rebel settles the matter. A grape shot strikes 
Tompkins a glancing blow in the side. "I'm wounded" 
he cries. " Get to the rear then, where you belong," I 
answer, and dig my nose deeper into the ground. We 
have lain here probably three minutes and finding no sup- 
port, start back again and enter the rifle-pit just to the 
right of the crater. No, not all of us. A few brave boys 
still lie out there ; they are dead. A few more lie out 
there wounded, trying to crawl in, and calling for help. 
Lieut. George W. Field hears them. He leaps upon the 
edge of the crater. " Who will follow me," he cries. "I," 
"I," and a dozen respond. With sword uplifted, he ad- 
vances one step and falls dead. 

We gather in a little band of thirty or forty around our 
colonel. What is next to be done? Over yonder near the 
old barn they are getting a new battery into position to 
enfilade us. It is a part of Lee's forces that have just got 
back from the right. Comrades Billy Gates, Bob Hamil- 
ton, and myself, form ourselves into sharp-shooters, and try 
to pick off the gunners. Bob's little yellow dog has come 
into the fight with him, and is jumping around, yelling and 
barking, as if fully alive to the importance of the situation. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 289 

Suddenly a yip and a yell tells us the dog is hit. Bob 
drops his rifle, grabs and hurriedly examines the doo". A 
ball has skipped across his back and burnt ofl' the hair, 
that is all. 

Ferrero's division of colored troops is now coming in 
from our lines. They advance v^^ell, but seem to mistake 
us for the rebel line, and confusion ensues. Something 
is the matter with our batteries. Their shot and shell are 
coming too close to us. An oflicer leaps upon the top of 
the rifle-pit. Grasping a stand of colors, he waves them 
back and forth, facing our lines. We cannot tell whether 
this stops our batteries' fire or not. We are in the midst 
of a terrible storm. It would seem impossible to live a 
second longer, and the fire comes from all directions. 

There goes the colored division. We are all ready to 
follow. But here they come back, rushing pell-mell over 
into our midst, knocking us down, shouting, panic-struck, 
and — with some noble exceptions — they fly to the rear. 
Struggling through the excited and confused mass, the old 
Fourth, — what few there are of us, — stand steady to the 
front. The field in front of us is thick with the rebel gray. 
On they come. With sleeves rolled up and rifle at trail, 
crouching like a tiger to spring upon its prey, they resolutely 
advance, and with a rush pierce our line and turn back our 
right. The Fifty-eighth Massachusetts boys, on our right, 
are out-flanked, cut off", taken prisoners, and away they run 
for the rebel lines, carrying their colors with them. " Drop 
your colors ! " we cry, but with no effect. They are gone 
now. The rebels are pressing us on the right. As they 
creep along they find lying here and there some wounded 
colored men, and pounce upon them. The poor helpless 
blacks lift up their hands and beg for mercy. But there is 
no mercy in that rebel line of men for them. Down comes 



19 



290 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

the rifle-breech, crashing through their skulls, or the sharp 
bayonet, piercing them through and through. 

Closer they press, and at last plant their colors within 
a dozen feet of ours. And now the air is filled with oaths, 
shouts, curses, shrieks, and groans. We are wild ; we are 
crazy ; we force them back ; we fire in their faces ; we 
beat them with the rifle breech. Down goes our colors. 
Two or three try to raise and plant them again, but it is no 
use, and they fall headlong over one another, — and the 
flag catches their blood in its folds. 

But we are wearing out. Where are our reenforcements ? 
What are those three lines of battle doing back of our 
main line? They are waiting for orders from General 
Meade to advance and help us out, but he is not disposed 
to give them. He is enraged at the failure of his own-plan 
of battle^ and is taking his ease in a shady grove beyond 
the reach of shot and shell, in blissful ignorance of all that 
is transpiring in his front. 

At last an aide comes to us : " Colonel Buflum, take your 
regiment to the rear. We can get no support. The day 
is lost." x\nother officer just at this time is borne past us, 
wounded, and cries out : " Every man of the Fourth Rhode 
Island deserves promotion." We have done what we could ; 
no one could do more. Securing our colors we make for 
our main line. The rebels are now sweeping the space 
between the lines with grape, canister, — everything that 
they can fire, — to prevent any man from reaching our lines 
alive. Many of our men prefer to stay in the line and sur- 
render as prisoners, rather than run the risk of crossing this 
shot-swept plain. Our colonel and four other officers with 
eighteen men prefer to stay. The rest of us take the risk 
and run for it. Several fall on the way. We reach our 
lines, and stop to look back just in time to see the Johnnies 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 



291 



pile over into the crater, and take all that are left there 
prisoners. 

The battle is over, but the firing on our lines is yet 
heavy. As we sit inside our works exhausted, out of 
breath, parching with thirst. Comrades William Noonan 
and Corp. John Ray Clarke, of Company B, come along. 
" Where are the colors?" they ask. " They came in ahead 
of us, and are somewhere on the left." " Let us go to find 
them." We three start towards the left, when a mortar 
shell bursts within a few feet of our heads, and knocks all 
three of us flat to the ground. We escape unwounded, how- 
ever, though our heads ring with the concussion, and ris- 
ing, pursue our way to the left. A few steps further we 
find Maj. J. T. P. Bucklin with a number of our men and 
the colors. We stand here a few minutes trying to collect 
all we can find of our regiment, and then count noses. 
There are only seventeen of us, all told, and as soon as the 
firing lulled down, we start back to camp. 

The loss of our troops in this assault was 4,000, while 
that of the enemy was only about fourteen hundred. 

The old Fourth Rhode Island went into the fight with 
about two hundred men and officers, and lost seventy-five, 
killed, wounded, and prisoners. One more such fight 
would wipe the little remnant of the Fourth out of exis- 
tence. Such a looking set of men as we were when we 
entered our camp that afternoon ! Faces and hands black 
with powder, clothes and equipments pierced and cut by 
minie-balls, and torn and begrimmed with blood and dirt, 
rifles black and bloody, — our pictures taken just then and 
sent home to our friends, would give them a better idea of 
zvar than all that has been written and said upon the sub- 
ject. 

And now our forces being all drawn in, the two armies 
occupied the same position as before the fight. Let others 



292 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

blame who tliey will for our defeat, zvc that zvcre there 
know that if the plans of General Burnside had been ap- 
proved, adopted, and supported as they should have been, 
it would have proved a success. 

The battle w^as fought under the orders and plan of 
General Meade. The Ninth Corps was suffered to pene- 
trate the rebel line, and to hold it against fearful odds 
from twenty minutes to five until half-past ten, nearly six 
hours. Four heavy lines of battle composed of the Fifth, 
Tenth, Eighteenth, and Second Corps lay waiting and 
anxious to support us, or at least to give us a chance to 
retreat and get out of it, but with the exception of a division 
of the Tenth and one of the Eighteenth Corps, not a man 
was allozued to go to our assistance. 

Burnside's corps were in a box, and General Meade 
knew it, and it looked to us then, and does to-day, that he 
was perfectly willing w^e should stay there. Four thousand 
of them did, and we hope he was gratified. 

Hundreds of our wounded lay out on the field and 
around the crater, suffering intensely from the heat of the 
sun, and the want of water. No aid could be given them 
until nightfall, when canteens of water were thrown over 
toward them, and those less w^ounded, crawled about, and 
administered to the wants of the rest as best they could. 
A few of those that were able to crawl, managed to get 
into our lines during the night. 

A flag of truce to bury the dead and care for the 
wounded was sent out next morning, but for some reason 
unknown to the waiter, remained unrecognized by the 
rebel authorities all day. The bodies were swelling from 
the heat of the sun to an immense size, and were filled 
wdth maggots and flies. The stench became unendurable. 
Another flag was raised on the following morning. This 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 293 

received a response, and preparations were at once made 
to bury the dead. 

Comrade Thomas Arnold and myself made our way out 
to the field in search of any dead or wounded of our com- 
pany. The dead were then unrecognizable, except by med- 
als or letters found upon them. Men were torn into all 
shapes, and the crater was filled with bodies lying in heaps, 
black as black could be, swollen out of all proportion, cov- 
ered with flies and maggots, and emitting a stench sicken- 
ing in the extreme. We found Augustus T. Thornton, of 
our company, but his body was too rotten to bring inside our 
lines, and we were obliged to leave him to be buried with 
the rest. I removed what few trinkets he had about him, 
and his medal, and a few days after sent them home to his 
father. He was a good soldier, and though laboring un- 
der the disadvantage of being a little deaf, never shirked 
his duty, and had at last given his all in defense of his 
country. 

Those bodies that were recognized and could be lifted on 
to stretchers without falling to pieces, were carried into our 
lines and buried. Pits were dug twenty or thirty feet long 
and about four feet deep for the rest. The poor fellows 
were then rolled, and in some cases, shovelled onto the 
stretchers, and dumped or laid in the holes, one on top the 
other, until within a foot of the top, and then covered with 
loose earth. 

In course of time these bodies decayed. Subsequent 
storms washed the loose covering of earth down through, 
and for months after, until the end of the war, long rows of 
bleaching skeletons marked this field of awful slaughter. 



294 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

August, 1S64. 



CHAPTER XX. 



WELDON RAILROAD. 

BUT the excitement regarding this great defeat at 
length wore away, and we resumed our usual course 
of duties. 

August 3d our regiment went out to our old position on 
the picket line again, but fewer in numbers than previously. 
We now mustered but 125, altogether. On the 5th, about 
5 p. M., the rebels tried their hand at explosions. They had 
mined to reach one of our forts, but by some miscalcula- 
tion had located their magazine just in front of our rifle-pits 
and while we were whiling away the afternoon in the pits, 
at our usual place, an explosion startled us, and looking 
down to the right about half a mile, we saw a huge cloud of 
dust and clods of earth rise to a height of fifty feet and fall. 

The rebels jumped out of their works for a grand charge, 
but immediately our whole line, front and rear, opened upon 
them, and sent them back to their holes, in somewhat of a 
hurry, and before dark they quieted down. 

The next day we were relieved by the Forty-eighth New 
York Regiment, and went back to camp. On the 7th re- 
turned to the pits for picket duty again, stayed two days 
and nights, without serious incident or accident, and came 
in again on the 9th. On the nth were again detailed for 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 295 

picket, remaining in the pits until the 14th when we came 
back to camp. Spreading ourselves for one night's good 
rest, listening to the flying bullets, and the crack of the 
pickets' rifles, and wondering when this cruel war would 
end, we dropped off to sleep, as we hoped, till morning, as 
we had not enjoyed scarcely a full night's sleep for the past 
six weeks. 

Alas, vain hope. At 2 o'clock in the morning we were 
routed out, ordered to -Pack up and strike tents," and 
soon started out of these woods and this place called the 
"Nine Holes," bidding them good-bye forever, a fact that 
cheered us greatly. After marching the rest of the night 
by a roundabout way, at daylight we reached the front again 
about a mile to the left of our previous camp, but out of the 
woods, on the open ground. Here we relieved a division 
of the Fifth Corps which marched out to the left and rear. 

This camp consisted of bomb-proofs, and all the name it 
ever received was the " Bomb-proofs." A bomb-proof 
is a large hole dug in the ground and covered with heavy 
logs and earth, looking very much like a tomb. Built 
strongly, as it should be, it is proof against the shot or shell 
of the enemy, hence its name, " bomb-proof." Bunks are 
fitted up on the inside, and entrance is gained by a door 
and steps. 

We thought ourselves fortunate in getting such comfort- 
able quarters, and another thing in our favor was the fact 
that here there was no firing between the pickets either 
night or day, and only an occasional artillery duel between 
the batteries, or a sharp-shooter's ball from the vicinity of 
the old blown-up fort of our last chapter, which we could 
plainly see about a mile on our right. It did seem good to 
be able to walk about straight without crouching and dodg- 
ing, and the ever accompanying music of minie-balls on 
the way. We slept in our new quarters that night ; slept 



296 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

sound UELtil reveille the next morning, with nothing to 
disturb us for the first time in six weeks, and we arose 
comfortable and contented. Well it was for those who 
were not on duty to enjoy this night of rest, for it was des- 
tined to be the only chance for some time. 

The next afternoon a heavy shower of rain fell, lasting 
several hours. The water formed in ponds around our 
bomb-proofs, and there not being sufficient drainage to 
carry it off quickly, it rose higher and higher in front of 
our "cellar way," despite all our exertions to keep it out, 
until it suddenly overflowed and poured down the steps 
like a mill-stream. There was a grab for our traps, and a 
rush to get out, and " de'il tak' the hindmost," and in less 
than a minute our beautiful quarters were full of water, on 
top of which floated the caps, knapsacks, canteens, etc., 
that we were unable to rescue in our hasty exit. Our 
rations and ammunition were spoiled ; and drenched to the 
skin, wretched and hungry, we took what little possessions 
we had saved from the flood, and sadly meandered down 
to the cook-houses in the rear, by the fires of which we 
tried to get the cold chill out of our wet bodies. The rain 
ceased after a while, and ourselves being supplied with a 
good cup of hot coflee, slice of toasted pork, and fried hard- 
tack (our mouth waters to this day at the remembrance of 
that supper), we pitched our tents on the wet ground, and 
spreading our blankets, lay down and went to sleep. 

On the 17th, the writer was one of a detail for picket 
duty. We found the pickets about one hundred yards in 
front of our works, occupying a line of " horseshoes," or 
holes dug half round in the shape of a horseshoe. In front 
of us, only fifty yards away, the rebel pickets occupied a 
similar line. In their rear some two hundred yards, their 
first line was located, and in rear of this the ground rose 
in a series of hills or slight elevations, one above the other, 
crowned with fortifications and bristlino- with cannon. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 297 

The pickets of both Hnes here were disposed to be peace- 
able, and indulged in friendly chat, or traded for papers, cof- 
fee, tobacco, etc. Being much in need of tobacco, (an ar- 
ticle the Johnnies always had plenty of,) I tried to trade with 
them a large jack-knife for three heads of tobacco, and writ- 
ing my conditions on a piece of paper, I wrapped it around 
the knife and flinging the parcel over into their line awaited 
the result. They could have kept it if they so desired, as 
of course I could not cross to get it. 

Qiiite a crowd of them gathered around, examined the 
knife and tested its merits. Finally one of them, an officer 
of some sort, produced a large piece of tobacco, wrote on 
the paper, and wrapping up the knife and tobacco, threw i 
back to me. On the paper were these words : 

Friend Yank : The knife is a good one, but we are not allowed to trade. 
However, you are welcome to this piece of tobacco. Yours, 

Soldier. 

We were much pleased at getting the knife back, much 
pleased with their honesty, and more than pleased with the 
big piece of tobacco they gave us. 

That night, while we lay here in the pits, conversing and 
watching the rebels across the way, at a little after midnight, 
suddenly we saw a flash and heard a heavy gun awaj' down 
on the right near the Appomattox River, and before we had 
finished wondering what was the row, the whole rebel line 
of artillery, from right to left, opened a tremendous fire 
upon our works. 

As we lay in our pits between the two fires, the scenebe- 
came fearfully grand. The long red spouts of flame from 
the mouth of the guns here, there, and everywhere about 
us ; the glowing shot and shell flying over our heads from 
either line weaving a fiery net-work across the black heavens ; 
the twinkling light of the heavy mortar shells as they 
rose in great half circles in the air, seeming almost to 



298 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

strike as they passed each other from opposite sides, formed 
an exciting and most beautiful picture. 

For three hours this fiery storm swept the black space 
above us, passing from line to line, and we sat still in our 
pits watching the enemy's pickets closely to detect the first 
signs of an advance, and ducking our heads at each charge 
of grape that one of the enemy's batteries woidd persist in 
throwing directly into and around our pits. 

At last the fire slackened, and about 3 o'clock ceased al- 
together. It was probably opened to find out the number 
and position of our batteries, or what is called in soldier 
parlance, "feel the lines," to ascertain if any of our forces 
had left this place and to call them back if possible. But 
it was a great waste of ammunition, with no adequate re- 
sult, as although all our batteries were in position for an 
attack, but few of them were allowed to answer the rebel 
fire, thus leaving the enemy as much in doubt of any move 
on our part as ever, and from being well covered, our loss 
was but small. 

The next morning, for some reason the company cook 
forgot or neglected to bring out our breakfast to the picket 
lines, and having been ordered out without rations we began 
to get desperately hungry. After waiting some time, I de- 
cided to go back into the lines for it. The space of open 
ground between us and the breast-works, was directly in 
line of fire from the rebel sharp-shooters in the vicinity of 
the old crater, and we had noticed the day previous that 
those jolly rebels were in the habit of drawing a bead upon 
any one who attempted to cross over to or from our lines to 
the picket post. I had not got any more than half way 
across, when I heard a minie-ball coming hissing along, its 
force nearly spent, and instantly dropped flat on my face 
that it might pass over, when chuck, it plowed into the ground 
about three feet from my side. Had the sharp-shooter but 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 299 

raised his aim very slightly, it would doubtless have made 
a hole through me. I jumped up and made a run for the 
works, mounting which, the zip, zip, of several more of 
those little fellows told me they meant business, and I lost 
no time in getting to cover. Somewhat of a narrow escape, 
but a common every-day occurrence in these parts. 

We were relieved of picket duty that afternoon and went 
into camp. Our bomb-proofs were now dry, and we once 
more moved into them. Nothing is so scarce or hard to get 
in siege life as sleep. Very seldom can one lie down at 
night and not be disturbed or woke up before morning, ex- 
cept it be that he receives special permission from the 
enemy's lines in the shape of a piece of lead or iron, and 
we defy any one to wake him then. Being off duty that 
night, we retired directly after tattoo, and hugging up to 
each other, spoon fashion, were very soon oblivious to all 
our surroundincrs. 

At about midnight the roar of a heavy gun on our right 
again brought us to our feet in an instant. No matter how 
soundly a living soldier may be asleep, an unusual noise 
will always bring him to his senses in a hurry. Profiting 
by our experience of the night before, and knowing that 
in less than three minutes the air would be alive with shot 
and shell, we hastily grasped our rifle and equipments in 
one hand and shoes in the other, — we generally slept in 
our clothes during the siege, — and reached the breast- 
works just in time to escape the storm of missiles that 
burst upon us from every rebel gun and mortar in our 
front. 

For another three hours they rained a perfect tempest of 
shot, shell, grape, canister, and shrapnel over into our 
works, but I believe without injury to our regiment. Sev- 
eral men of the regiment on our left were struck, a rebel 
solid shot taking one man's head off as he was lookinof 



300 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

over the works. At i o'clock, during the bombardment, 
we received marching orders, but could not pack up until 
the fire slackened somewhat. At daylight the rebels 
ceased firing. At 9 a. m. a division of the Second Corps 
marched in to relieve us, and we shouldered our traps and 
started out to the rear, the Johnnies facilitating our exit 
with a few charges of shrapnel, by way of bidding us 
good-bye. 

Soon after we struck the road in our rear, the heavy 
clouds that had been gathering above us all the morning, 
now sent down their treasures in copious showers of rain, 
drenching us to the skin, and quickly transforming the 
roads into an almost impassable sea of mud. We struck 
off towards the left, in company with the rest of our 
division, and trudged along as best we could through the 
mud and rain. 

Our destination was now in support of the Fifth Corps, 
who, in advance, had reached the Weldon Railroad at a 
place called Six-mile Station. They had destroyed the 
track, and were endeavoring to lengthen their line and 
connect with the old line on their right, when the enemy 
struck them in force, and almost doubled them up. 

Consequently our corps was sent for and succeeded in 
establishing themselves upon the right of the Fifth, our 
division holding the right of the line, and connecting with 
the left of the Second Corps in our old line of works, near 
the Jesuralem Plank Road, just in time to save the Fifth 
Corps, who were heavily pressed. The battle raged from 
noon to night, but being somewhat to the left of us, our 
regiment did not get very heavily engaged, the rebels fall- 
ing back to their line of works. On the 20th we worked, 
strengthening the line, for it was not to be expected that 
General Lee would give up this railroad so easily, it being 
one of his main sources of supply. A detail was made 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 3OI 

for picket upon the new line established, and nothing 
further transpired that night. On the morning of the 21st 
before guard mount, the enemy's pickets were seen advanc- 
ing, supported by the heavy lines of battle composing A. 
P. Hill's corps. He opened with a heavy cannonade upon 
the right of the Fifth Corps and left of the Ninth, the assault 
being strongly made, and in some parts of the line left of 
us, reaching to our breast- works, but being over ground in 
an oblique direction to our left, our regiment was not heav- 
ily engaged, and the loss was slight. Our two left divis- 
ions, under Wilcox and White, made a noble stand behind 
their newly constructed works and successively repulsed 
each charge of the rebel lines, covering, and in some places 
piling, the field with their dead and wounded. This was 
their last attempt to retake this road from our forces, and 
we were permitted to finish the works we had begun, thus 
establishing a strong and continuous line from the right, 
near Richmond, to the left, beyond the Weldon Railroad. 
Since the 3d of July previous, the writer had not en- 
joyed but one night's good sleep ; had participated in two 
battles ; marched about twenty-five miles ; stood picket duty 
eighteen days and nights, and camp-guard five days and 
nights ; been under continual fire for forty days and nights ; 
laid out in the wet and cold three or four nights, besides 
doing fatigue duty of a hard and dangerous nature ; and 
what was worse than all this, our rations had failed to 
arrive and for the last two days we had fought on empty 
stomachs. This was rather tough campaigning, and one 
evening after the battle above referred to, I started to find 
something to eat somewhere. Passing back through the 
woods, I saw a comrade of another regiment eating his 
supper, and after considerable begging and pleading, he 
took pity upon me and gave me one hard-tack and two 
raw potatoes. I was so hungry I did not wait to cook 



302 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

them, but ate them raw. The result was, I was taken sick 
that night, and in the morning was sent to the division hos- 
pital, and here I lay completely played out and unable to 
stand. 

The next morning the hospital was ordered to re-locate 
some distance to the rear of the line. The weakest of us 
were put into baggage wagons and jolted along the rough 
roads, and finally brought up at a place several miles in 
rear, from which, next day, we were transferred to City 
Point General Hospital, and arrived there more dead than 
alive ; but were soon placed in good comfortable beds, and 
under the kind treatment of the Sanitary Commission I 
soon began to mend. In five days I was much better, and 
was transferred to the convalescent camp near by Septem- 
ber ist. On the 5th of September I had been in the ser- 
vice three years. 

Being now rested and recruited sufficiently for active 
service, I ran away from the hospital camp with several 
other comrades, and started to rejoin my regiment at the 
front. 

We footed it all the distance in two days, and found the 
regiment encamped just in rear of the breast-works, about 
where we left them, and took up our share of camp and 
picket duty with the rest of our comrades. And now we 
had quite a season of rest from our late arduous campaign, 
and enjoyed it much, making ourselves comfortable quar- 
ters in these shady woods, and those who were soon to 
return home anxiously waiting the day, and hoping they 
should not be called to battle again. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 303 

September, 1864. 



CHAPTER XXi. 



INCIDENTS OF SIEGE LIFE. 

IN front of our line of works, close under which we were 
encamped, extended an open plain, about two miles 
long by one-quarter to one-half a mile wide. This had 
been the battle-field of our last chapter. The soil was a 
hard clay, and mostly devoid of vegetation. 

Here and there all over the field were great black 
spots where the blood of our enemies had lately stained 
the ground, and which were scattered so thickly that one 
could walk but a few feet in any direction without stepping 
upon them, an evidence of the cost of human life which 
General Lee sacrificed here in his fruitless attempt to re- 
capture the railroad. 

On the opposite side of this field was a heavy strip of 
woodland. In the edge of these woods our picket lines 
were located, and were probably about half a mile in front 
of the rebel lineof intrenchments. A cart path ran through 
these woods towards Petersburg, passing through that por- 
tion of our line occupied by our regiment's pickets. 

It was thought prudent, on account of the density of these 
woods, to station a corporal and six men out on this cart 
path about a quarter of a mile in front of our picket line, to 
act as a " corps of observation," and to give timely notice 
of any advance movement of the enemy, and one day it 
was my luck to be put in charge of this party of vedettes. 



304 FORTY-SIX MOXTHS WITH THE 

I was ordered to pick out six of the best men I could find 
in our regimental detail, and to advance carefully beyond 
the lines, to where the post was located, and relieve the 
men found there, and keeping under cover all day, watch 
closely for any advance move on the part of the rebel line, 
perceiving which, we were to immediately fall back and re- 
port. 

We started about nine a. m., and soon getting out of 
sight of our picket line, we skirmished from tree to tree, ad- 
vancing slowly, till we descried our post of seven men lying 
flat on the ground, and creeping up to them received their 
orders and relieved them. I immediately posted my men 
in the form of a letter A, extending across the road, and 
each man facing a different direction, thus keeping all 
points of the compass under constant observation, though 
by the thickness of the woods our field of vision was some- 
what limited. 

Hiding among the grass or behind the butts of trees, we 
lay here watching closely to the front, flank, and rear for 
the first signs of a rebel, and keeping as quiet as possible. 
We found we were inside of the line that the rebels occupied 
during the night as vedette posts, and consequently were 
very near their main line ; but we could not see their lines, 
which were probably located just beyond on the other side 
of the woods. 

The day was pleasant and warm. The woods still as 
death. We could hear plainl}' the sounds of drums and bu- 
gles in our camps, and much more plainly the same sounds 
from the rebel camps, showing that w^e were much nearer 
their lines than ours. But after we had lain here for an 
hour or two and could see nothing to alarm us, w^e began 
to gain confidence, and as it was pretty hard work to watch 
so closely, we soon grew wearied, and began to relax our 
vigilance, and for a few moments rested our limbs by walk- 
ing about and examining our immediate neighborhood. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 305 

Suddenly a sharp rattling report of rifles rang through 
the woods from the direction of our own picket lines, bring- 
ing us quickly back to our post, and grasping our rifles we 
pulled the hammer back and peered through the woods on 
all sides for the cause of this disturbance, while a scattering 
fire of musketry was ringing an alarm, accompanied by the 
yells of the rebels, and the minie-balls from our own pick- 
ets' rifles were zipping and striking all around us. And 
all this was taking place between iis and our own lines, and 
we made up our mind we should be gobbled up shortly. 
We could not see them, but had plenty of evidence that 
they were there, and we lay low as possible that they might 
not see us if they came back to their own lines that way. 

This affair kept up for about fifteen minutes, when it 
ceased. The rebel party, instead of coming our way, passed 
off down the line, and we heard them no more. But this 
kept us doubly guarded and watchful during the remainder 
of our stay at this post, and we more earnestly kept a sharp 
watch all about us for the first traces of a Johnnie Reb. 
At last the writer discovered one. 

By the side of a tall tree, about a hundred yards on our 
left, stood a rugged looking Johnnie, wearing gray pants, 
butternut-colored jacket, and slouched felt hat, and with 
rifle at a "ready," was leaning over, peering at us, as if in 
great astonishment to see a party of Yanks in such a place. 
Yes, there- he stood, a mighty good shot, yet as ready for 
that kind of work as we. None of the boys saw him. 
I spoke to them, and told them where he was, but they 
could not see any signs of a rebel, and I did not dare to 
take my eyes off' of him, for fear he would draw a bead 
on me. 

For five minutes he never moved from his tracks. I 

waved my hand but he would not answer. I concluded 

there were more of them there, and began to think we had 

discovered the party that caused all the firing that morn- 

20 



306 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

ing, and they might be trying to creep around us and gob- 
ble us up. 

At length I moved slowly up to one of my comrades and 
directed his attention to my rebel by sighting him over the 
rifle. But the instant I did so he was gone, — probably 
dodged behind the tree. I crawled back to my place and 
watched closely in all directions, all of us lying low and 
keeping our eyes peeled, when chancing to glance at the 
tree again, there was the same rebel and in much the same 
position as when I first saw him. 

The boys were getting worked up over the matter, and I 
desired to bring things to a crisis. So keeping my eyes 
fixed on Mr. Johnnie, and my rifle in readiness for quick 
work, I began crawling through the grass toward him. 
He never moved, but seemed to watch more closely. A 
thick stump of a tree stood directly in my path, and I crept 
to one side to get by it. As I did so he all at once seemed 
to separate, and as I got a few feet further to one side, I 
stopped, and the absurdity of the whole matter burst upon 
my mind. 

The bright afternoon sunlight flashing through the trees, 
had so cast a combination of shadows upon the gray trunk 
of an old oak as to exactly resemble the living picture of a 
rebel, his rifle in hand, and in the position before described, 
and which could only be seen by a person in just such a 
direct line of vision as I at first occupied. Moving to the 
right or left would destroy the illusion, and that is why my 
comrades in those positions were unable to see anything 
that looked like a rebel, while I myself lost sight of it in 
trying to sight him over my comrade's rifle. Thus, both in 
day and night, is a person liable to be deceived while watch- 
ing closely for an enemy, by purely simple, natural causes. 

My comrades joked me a good deal and we talked the 
matter over, but did not relax our vigilance in the least, for 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 307 

we knew not, isolated as we were from our own lines, what 
minute we might be discovered and captured by the enemy. 

Nothing further occurred to disturb us, and we lay at our 
post, weary of watching, until at last the sun dropped to the 
horizon, and according to our orders, we gladly gave up 
our vigilance and started back to our picket lines. 

Stepping boldly out into the road, we stopped a minute to 
look down towards the rebel lines. About three hundred 
teet in front of us a large fallen tree lay across the road, 
and from behind this rose thf'ee genuine rebels^ who took 
off their hats and waved them at us as a sign of truce. 

" How long have you been there?" we asked. 

" We've been watching you uns all day," they replied. 

" What was that firing on our pickets this morning? " 

" That was one of our scouting parties." 

" How many of them were there?" 

" About sixty, I reckon." 

" Did they know we were here? " 

" No ; they came down between the lines from our right, 
and it was a right smart chance they didn't gobble you uns 
up." 

' ' Where are your pickets ? " 

" Right jam by, I reckon." 

" Well, good-night." 

"Good-night." 

And both parties turned towards their respective camps 
with a friendly wave of our hats. After reporting to the 
officer of the picket, we were allowed to sleep all night on 
the line and next morning again went out to our post. We 
saw nothing more of our rebel friends, and at 9 o'clock were 
relieved and came back to camp. A few days after while 
a squad of men were on this same post in vedette, the rebels 
surrounded them and took them all prisoners without firing 
a shot, and there not being any need of placing men so far 



3o8 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

away from our lines, the post was abandoned from that time 
forth. With the exception of a slight skirmish between the 
pickets, which was probably the result of another scouting 
party, nothing further of note occurred while we lay at this 

camp. 

On the 25th of September we received marching orders, 
packed up, w^ere relieved, and leaving our shady quarters, 
passed out on the road to the rear. Joining the rest of our 
division, we marched down to a point about in rear of our 
old position at the " Nine Holes." It was evident that 
another extension of the line was about to take place. On 
the 29th, the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps crossed the 
James River to make a heavy demonstration on the north 
side, and on the same afternoon we were massed in posi- 
tion to cooperate v/ith the Fifth Corps in an attempt to turn 
the enemy's right, at Poplar Spring Church. 

At this point we wish to state that although the regiment 
was mustered into the United States service Oct. 30, 1861, 
yet dated its organization as a regiment a month previous 
to that date, therefore the term of service of the three years' 
men who did not reenlist as veterans in January, 1864, was 
about to expire on the morrow, September 30th. 

As on the morrow^ we should, in all probability, be called 
again into battle, much speculation was rife as to what 
should be done. The veterans and recruits, of course, 
would be expected to continue their service and go into 
the fight, but they would have to go without colors, without 
any name or number as a regiment, and therefore without 
.any place in the brigade line. 

Here was a quandary. Our generals seemed unable to 
give us any orders, as part must be considered as out of ser- 
vice, while the other part was disorganized. Some of the 
men whose time was out, especially the color guard, were 
willing to go into the fight, and carry the colors. Others 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 3O9 

considered they had performed all the service they had 
agreed to, and consequently did not care to run any more 
risks just on the eve of departure for home. 

On the morning of the 30th, the lines advanced to the 
assault at daylight. About one hundred and thirty of our 
men, consisting of the veterans, recruits, color guard, and 
a few others, followed on after our brigade down the road, 
and formed on the left of the Seventh Rhode Island. By 
10 o'clock the action became general. Our regiment, or 
portion of a regiment being so few in number, was ordered 
to maintain a guard line in the rear of the line of battle. 

While at this duty, lying upon the ground near a rail 
fence, a battery opened upon us, sending its shot crashing 
into the fence, throwing the rails and splinters in every di- 
rection. One shot struck into the midst of our color guard, 
shattering the staff and cutting down three of its bearers, 
killing one, and wounding the other two so badly that they 
soon died. Two of these men, Sergeant Peabody and Cor- 
poral Leddy, were to return home the next day with the rest 
of the three years' men, but had volunteered to carry the 
colors into this battle for the last time. After a loss of three 
killed and two wounded, the boys fell back a short distance, 
out of range of that rebel battery, and there held a guard line 
the remainder of the day. 

With the approach of night, the battle ceased, the lines 
were established running through the Peeble Farm, the left 
being refused, and we bivouacked for the night. Rations 
were issued to the men at the front, but those who had staid 
in the rear were left without. During the next two days 
they made their way up to us, and the whole regiment was 
together once more. 

On the 3d of October, with cheerful good-byes, and 
'•How are you, vets?" "Come home when the war is 
over," and such remarks, the boys whose time was out and 



3IO FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

who were now going home, took the colors, and with cheer 
and sonor started down the road for old Rhode Island. 

We could not help feeling sad at parting with them, and 
wishing we were also of that happy number, and there we 
stood, a little party of a hundred or so, watching them out 
of sight, and as the last sound of their cheerful voices died 
away we turned again to our work, — to finish our term ot 
service, — to fight the battle out, to see this rebellion put 
down, down where it never would rise again, and we be- 
lieved in our hearts that not another year would elapse be- 
fore this great result of our labor and hardships would be 
achieved, and, our lives being spared, we should see our 
homes, flushed with victory and blessed with peace, hav- 
ing fought this cruel war to the end, and bringing with us 
an experience of which we should ever more feel proud. 

But here we were, a disorganized body of men : no 
colors, no commander, no name or place in line. But 
during the day Captain Brown, of our regiment, but now 
acting on the general's staff, arrived, and took command ot 
us, and marched us over to the camp of the Seventh Rhode 
Island Volunteers. 

Here we wci e formed into a battalion of three compa- 
nies. What WIS left of Companies G, H, D, and A formed 
Company A of the new battalion. The "lost children" 
of Companies E, K, and B formed Company B, and the 
last sad relics of Companies I, F, and C formed Com- 
pany C. 

These were placed in charge of our officers, as far as we 
had any left, the residue being made up of officers from the 
Seventh Regiment, the whole being under the command of 
Lieut. -Col. Percy Daniels, of the Seventh, and to be called 
Battalionof the Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers. Though 
this was our military title, yet we never called ourselves 
other than as we were once and always, the Fourth Rhode 
Island Regiment. 



P^OURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 31I 

October, 1864. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



HATCHERS RUN. 



^"^HE consolidation of the remnant of our regiment 
with the Seventh Rhode Island did not meet with 
very great favor with us, and perhaps the following 
circumstance had something to do with it : A short time 
previous, while our division was marching in rear of the 
main line, back and forth from left to right, the Seventh 
Rhode Island, under Colonel Daniels, was some distance 
on our right, and generally went into camp or bivouac 
before us. 

By the time we reached them they would be busy hew- 
ing logs, etc., as if to build barracks, and we got into the 
habit of shouting as we passed their camp, "Build a 
guard-house ! Build a guard-house ! " Although the boys 
took this all in good-nature, it seemed to rile their colonel 
up some, and he was reported to have said : " If I ever get 
that Fourth Regiment under my command, /'// build a 
guard-house for them that they won't like." 

So we expected to catch it now that we had been placed 
under his control. And we did. Every morning at re- 
veille we were ordered to turn out, armed and equipped, 
and go through the manoeuvres of dress parade. All the 
extra duty that he could devise he forced upon us. The 
roll was called five or six times a day, and woe betide the 
unlucky man who was not on hand to answer. Fatigue 



312 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

parties were formed of our men to go out slashing trees, 
while the Seventh Regiment proper were allowed to loaf 
in camp. Men were placed under guard upon the least 
provocation, and everything done to make us understand 
we were under his control. But he soon found he was 
making enemies faster than friends of our boys, and if he 
desired their cooperation in future battles he had best treat 
them more like men, and after awhile he let up on us, and 
the reveille dress parades, etc., were discontinued. 

One day, about noon, the pickets on our left opened a 
rapid and continuous fire, and upon looking down to the 
large fort which was in process of building, a short dis- 
tance away, we saw the men flinging down their shovels 
and picks, and running to their camps for their rifles. 

Dropping whatever we had in hand, we hurriedly buckled 
on our armor, and snatching our rifleS; repaired to tlie 
breast- works in front of our camp. The pickets on our 
left fell back slowly, those in our immediate front still 
holding their position and fire. A strong rebel skirmish 
line advanced on our left till within 200 yards of our fort, 
A battery of artillery was quickly run into this half-finished 
work, and played on them at short range so vigorously that 
in a few minutes they retired to their former position, our 
picket-lines were reestablished, and "all quiet along the 
lines" succeeded this demonstration. 

In a few days we had aligned our tents in three company 
streets upon the left of the Seventh Rhode Island camp, 
and arranged them to our satisfaction. We were now put 
to work building a large earth-work, to be called "Fort 
Fisher." Trees were felled, abatis cut and planted, new 
breast-works laid out, and the whole line strengthened in 
various ways. 

The paymaster arrived and left us with replenished 
purses and lightened hearts, and the time passed pleas- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 313 

antly until toward the end of the month, when suddenly 
things began to look like another move. Work was now 
hurried forward on the fortifications, night and day, 
strengthening them in such a manner that a very small 
force could hold and defend them, in case of our with- 
drawal for action elsewhere. 

At length, on the 27th of October, at 2 o'clock in the morn- 
ing, we were w^aked up from sleep, and received orders to 
" fall in" in fighting trim as quickly and quietly as possi- 
ble. In a short time all the available troops in this corps, 
and also in the Second and Fifth Corps, were on the road, 
ready to proceed to the field of action. Moving a short 
distance to the rear, we halted near headquarters until day- 
light. Now, it seemed to our "unofficial " minds, that if a 
surprise movement on the left was to be attempted, there 
was a big blunder right on the start, in massing us on this 
hill near headquarters. It was in plain view of the rebel 
lines, and as soon as it became light enough to see us they 
crowded on the top of their works and watched to see which 
way we were going to move. When the lines did start off 
to the left, the rebels immediately knew where we were 
going, v/hat we were going for, and how many troops we 
had for the expedition, and long before our part of the line 
started, we could see rebel troops swarming down to their 
right in the same direction, ready to give us a warm recep- 
tion when we got there. Consequently, we were defeated 
before we started. Soon after daylight the line moved out 
beyond the left of our line, marching " left in front," out 
on the Squirrel Level Road. 

The line of advance was formed as follows : Gregg's 
cavalry held the extreme left, followed by the Second 
Corps, under Hancock, and then the Fifth Corps, under 
Warren. Wilcox's division of the Ninth Corps came next, 
followed by Ferrero's division of colored troops. Potter's 



314 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

division bringing up the rear, or extreme right of the whole 
line. The line advanced by the left flank until the cavalry 
had reached Hatcher's Run, and together with the Second 
Corps crossed it on the Bo3'^dton Plank Road, six miles 
from the Southside Railroad, when the whole line left of 
Potter's division faced to the front and advanced upon 
the enemy's works covering Hatcher's Run, in the attempt 
to clean them out, reach the railroad, and hold it. Soon 
after we started, the rapid fire of our skirmishers denoted 
that the rebels had been struck in force and were heavily 
disputing their ground. They were steadily forced back, 
however, uncovering in their retreat a battery, of which 
two guns were captured by our lines. Our division now 
faced to the front and advanced. The battle was now 
raging on our left, the Second and Fifth Corps, with 
Wilcox's and Ferrero's divisions of our corps, being hotly 
engaged. We advanced at regimental front for a distance 
of 500 yards, and halted in line of battle on a slight eleva- 
tion, the right of our division being in communication with 
the left of our old line of works. 

No fire was opened in our immediate front, and we were 
ordered to fall to and throw up a line of intrenchments as 
quickly as possible. We had no axes, picks, or shovels 
with which to accomplish this ; but near by was an old 
barn. This would furnish material to build our works, and 
we fell upon it, wrenching and tearing it to pieces, using 
the heavy timber for a " backer" to our breast-works, and 
dug and threw up the dirt against them with the shingles 
from the roof. In fifteen or twenty minutes of lively work 
we had a line of breast-works built strong enough to hold 
our own against an assault. 

The firing on our left lulled down, and at sunset had al- 
most ceased. We pitched our tents en hivoziac for the 
night, and after stationing pickets and guards, laid our- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 315 

selves down for a rest, and soon all save those on duty were 
asleep. Hancock was now somewhat to the left of Warren, 
and quite a gap was left between the two corps. Warren 
endeavored to close down and connect with Hancock, but 
before he could do so the rebels perceived their advantage, 
and rushing through this gap between the two corps, at 
about 8 o'clock that evening, fell with tremendous fury on 
Hancock's right flank, and at the same time upon Warren, 
doubling up his left. 

The fiercest fire of musketry that the writer ever remem- 
bers of hearing, now burst upon the still night air, startling 
our part of the line to their feet in a hurry, and the battle 
again opened in the pitch darkness, with all its fury, the 
attack being principally upon the Second and Fifth Corps. 
These brave old veterans of many a field at once turned to 
meet it, and drove the rebels back into their works, and 
though with considerable loss, regained their former position, 
and under orders from Grant's headquarters began their 
line of retreat. 

The battle of Hatcher's Run was now over, and earlv next 
morning the Second Corps passed us in retreat, followed by 
the Fifth Corps, by division, and in good order. At noon 
Wilcox's division of the Ninth Corps came out, and was fol- 
lowed by Ferrero's division of colored troops, thus leaving 
our division in the works. 

We now changed front to rear by brigade, and estab- 
lished a line of batUe at right angles with the breast-works, 
covering the retreat of the rest of our troops. The rebels 
advanced a heavy skirmish line upon us, though not ventur- 
ing to attack us in force, evidently satisfied with the punish- 
ment they had received the night previous. 

An attempt was now made by the enemy's cavalry to 
turn our right, but owing to a swamp lying between us, 
they were unsuccessful, and we moved bv brigade from 



3l6 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

front to rear, back the road we had come, the rebels fol- 
lowing us to their original picket line, when they halted, 
the pops of the skirmishers' rifles ceased, and at 4 p. m. 
we arrived back in our camp. 

Thus ended what might have proved an important and 
successful move on the great chess-board of this war. 
Many hundreds of valuable lives were sacrificed with no 
other result than to capture a couple of guns and replenish 
many a poor rebel's haversack. 

x\mong the troops in the action was a new regiment just 
from the North, and who carried with them the usual 
heavy knapsack of the new recuit, filled to bursting with 
all the good things of home. These so hampered their 
movements that they were ordered to pile them all in one 
place, and put a guard over them while they took a hand 
in the conflict. But alas ! they were outflanked and driven 
from their position, with no time to get their knapsacks, 
and the rebels found them and speedily appropriated their 
contents ; and well it was, for the poor Johnnies, half 
clothed and half starved, needed them sadly. 

An incident that well illustrated the critical condition of 
the rebel army at this time, transpired in our immediate 
front soon after. 

Early in the morning of November ist, being on duty in 
the picket line, I heard whistling out in front. It sounded 
like some one trying to call a dog. I looked over the pit 
to where Comrade Thomas Kelly was lying as vedette, a 
short distance awa}^ and soon heard it again. Thinking it 
might be a signal for some advance movement of the rebel 
line, I went out to where Kelly was lying and asked liim 
what was the matter with the Johnnies. He said they 
had been whistling that way for some time, and he thought 
they wanted to speak to us. It often happened that when 
the pickets were near together and maintained such 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 317 

friendly relations with each other, if an advance was or- 
dered, a short time before they were to start over they 
would warn each other by some means, and we thought 
this might be a hint from them to draw in our vedettes. 

The whistling was kept up for some minutes. The 
night was very dark, but in the gloom we could just dis- 
cern three figures creeping along the ground toward us, 
and immediately spoke to them in a low voice. 

" Who goes there?" 

" We want to come in." 

" How many of you are there? " 

"Three of us." 

" Throw your rifles over into our line, and come quick." 

They tossed their rifles over and came in, — three big 
Johnnies, — and we went with them back into our picket line. 

Their object was to desert the Confederacy, and when 
safely in our lines, their joy was boundless, and some time 
was spent shaking hands, and offering congratulations. 

One of them burst into tears, saying he had left his wife, 
children, home, and everything back there, but he was 
nearly starved, sick and tired of fighting against his coun- 
try, and he knew he should never see them again if he 
stayed any longer on that side, and added: "I tell you 
uns Yanks, there is no hope overyonner, and thousands of 
we'uns would desart fo' daylight ef they wasn't skeered to." 

One of the others showed us his three days' rations, 
which consisted of a hoe cake the size of a pie plate, and 
an inch thick, made of meal and bran, and a small quan- 
tity of roasted peanuts ground for coffee. 

We had often heard about three times a week, the whole 
rebel line set up a yelling, as if they had received a good 
piece of news, but it happened so regular and on just such 
days, that we were at a loss to account for it. So I asked 
Johnnie what it meant. He said that three times a week 



3l8 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

they had meat rations issued to them, about eight ounces 
to a man, and it was this that caused them to yell for joy. 
These rations were all that were given to last them nearly 
three days in active service at the front. 

With an army like this, of starved, half-clothed troops,, 
impoverished in every way, weakened by desertions all 
winter long, disheartened, half-paid, and conscripted men 
and boys, was it not a cause of wonder that they held out 
until they had dwindled away to less than twenty thousand 
before they surrendered? I'Vas it such a great and won- 
derful piece of generalship and military strategy, that after 
a siege of nine months, a general with an army of nearly 
or quite one hundred and lifty thousand men, well fed, well 
armed and equipped, could at last surround such a wretched 
mob as the Army of Northern Virginia, and compel its 
surrender? 

But to resume our story. 

These deserters told us that back of their picket line an- 
other line of vedettes was posted, whose orders were to 
watch their comrades on the picket line to see that they did 
not desert. Back of these again were posted men to watch 
the vedettes, and so on, back to camp. 

One of the causes of the frequent desertions of the John- 
nies was this : Printed circulars had lately been distributed 
to our pickets, with orders for us to affix them to the trees 
and bushes between the lines, near where the rebel pickets 
could get them. These circulars, with General Grant's name 
printed on them, held out an inducement to the rebels to 
desert, offering them a good sum of money for the horses, 
mules, rifles, or other property they might bring with them, 
and pledging the government to pass them to their homes, 
if within our lines ; but if not, to give them work on gov- 
ernment pay and rations, until such times as they could: 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 



319 



reach their homes in safety ; or in lieu thereof, to send them 
North, if they so chose. 

We fixed these circulars in the day-time close up to the 
line that the rebel vedettes occupied during the night. 
Thus, when they came out to their vedette posts they found 
them, and on their return to camp passed them around 
among their comrades. These three Johnnies told us that 
partly by means of these circulars they were induced to 
desert ; and we doubt not that many of such cases happened 
during the winter of 1864. 

However novel the manner of " whistling them into the 
Union" as we had done, this time we were glad to get them 
here, and in a few minutes haversacks were opened, fires 
started up, each man of the detail chipped in his share of 
rations, and we soon provided a good hot supper for them, 
the like of which one of them said he had not seen "for 
mo'n a y'ar." They thanked us from the bottom of their 
hearts, and emptying their pockets and traps of all the 
tobacco they could find, made us accept it, as all they could 
give us in return for our kindness. 

It was now drawing near day-break, and it would not do 
to keep them here till day-light, when they would be sure 
to be seen by the rebel pickets and fired upon, so the 
lieutenant detailed me to take them back to headquarters, 
where I left them with a cordial shake and good-bye, and 
returned to my post. I never saw nor heard of them 
again. 

November 8th being election day all over the country for 
President and Vice-President of these United States, was a 
day of rest for us, nothing but guard and police duties being 
performed. It had been previously arranged by the au- 
thorities, in order to get the votes of the men in the field, 
that the legal voters of each state now in the army, and 
who were duly registered as such at home, should deposit 



320 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

their votes with their respective adjutants in camp, he to 
forward them to their native state, to be counted in with 
the rest. 

The opposing candidates were the present incumbent, 
Abraham Lincoln, and our old general, George B. Mc- 
Clellan, and the army gave its support to old "Father 
Abraham." 

On this day, we of the Fourth Regiment were happily 
surprised by the appearance among us of our old adjutant, 
Henry J. Spooner, who had been appointed adjutant of our 
consolidated regiments, the Fourth and Seventh Rhode Is- 
land. 

On the 15th we received orders to prepare winter quar- 
ters, and went to work cutting logs and building them up 
four feet high, setting our tent on top, and making bunks 
inside. An addition of a chimney of sticks and mud, with 
a barrel on top, provided facilities for keeping ourselves 
comfortable during the ensuing winter months. 

The 24th brought around Thanksgivmg Day and was 
duly observed b3^ us at the front in various manners, to the 
exclusion of drill and all unnecessary duties. A large lot 
of cooked turkeys, chickens, and other " fixin's," arrived 
for our benefit from Rhode Island, and each mess was ap- 
portioned its share. 

The writer's mess consisted of Comrades Bennett, Myers, 
and myself, and as our share we received half a turkey, 
and a good sized chicken. Comrade Bennett bought a few 
vegetables of a sutler near by, and I scouted around until 
I saw a stray bake-kettle, which I " borrowed," (for a sol- 
dier never steals,) and thus we managed to cook the turkey, 
etc., over again, and enjoyed a first-rate Thanksgiving din- 
ner for the first time in four long years. The next day, 
another lot of chickens, roast beef, etc., arrived for us, and 
was duly devoured with hearty satisfaction and a healthy 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 32 1 

soldier's appetite. This lot also came from Rhode Island, 
and could our kind-hearted people at home have seen the 
manner in which we appreciated this feast, they would have 
felt well repaid for their kindness to the poor, hard living 
soldier. 

On the 29th we received marching orders. A division 
of the Second Corps relieved us, and took possession of 
our nice winter quarters, and our whole division was soon 
on the road toward the Jerusalem Plank Road, reaching 
which, we halted till dark. After nightfall we moved up 
to the front line of works and into Fort Sedgwick. 

The Seventh Rhode Island took up quarters in the cen- 
tre of the fort and found good strong bomb-proofs awaiting 
them. The Forty-fifth Pennsylvania at their right also oc- 
cupied bomb-proofs, while our little battalion of three com- 
panies of the Fourth Rhode Island were assigned to the 
left, where there were no bomb-proofs, and pitched our 
tents in the open space of the fort, with no protection from 
the enemy's fire but the breast-works or parapet. 



31 



322 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

December-, 1864. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



" FORT HELL. 



FORT Sedgwick, better known among the troops as 
" Fort Hell," was formerly a portion of the rebel 
works, being captured by our troops during this 
seige, and was situated on the Jerusalem Plank Road, 
about in the centre of our line of works, and two miles in 
a straight line from the city of Petersburg. Our front line 
extended out along here, at somewhat of an angle with 
the main line, Fort Hell occupying the extreme left of this 
extension, and was consequently nearest the rebel works, 
being only about three hundred yards from the rebel Fort 
Mahone. Directly in front of the right flank of Fort Hell 
the picket lines of both armies approached each other to 
within a distance of fifty yards, and then bore away to the 
right, left, and rear. At this point no firing between the 
pickets was allowed night or day. 

The left of Fort Hell, where our little battalion was en- 
camped, was without armament, though pierced with em- 
brasures for six or eight guns, these embrasures now being 
filled with bags of earth, and so could quickly be made 
available for working a full battery of artillery in case of 
need. 

In the centre and on the right, four pieces of artillery 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 323 

were stationed, besides a battery of six eight-inch mortars. 
Two large magazines were located in the fort, and all ap- 
pliances for a full complement of guns, should they be 
needed. A large and deep ditch surrounded the fort, pro- 
tected in front by a heavy cheval-de-J'n'se, and a line of 
"trip wires," and in rear by a gate and bridge, leading 
into the inclosure. Various traverses, flankers, etc., pro- 
vided a covered way to the rear or main line, thus enabling 
reenforcements to reach us safely, though under heavy fire. 

Directly in rear and about nine hundred yards distant, 
stood Fort Davis, another work of large proportions and 
great strength, on the main line, forming one of the links of 
the great chain that General Grant was slowly, but surely, 
twining around the rebel stronghold. 

In the rebel line and opposite Fort Hell, stood Fort Ma- 
hone, better known as " Fort Damnation." It was pierced 
with embrasures, and was provided with facilities for work- 
ing fourteen guns. On its left and connected with it, was 
a battery of thirteen, eight, and ten-inch mortars. On the 
left of this mortar battery was another strong earth-work, 
mounting eight guns, and in rear of these works a 
series of forts and batteries extended back to their main 
line, each one opening fire directly into the one in its front. 
It will readily be seen of what enormous strength these 
rebel works were, and what a struggle we might expect if 
we ever attempted to assault them. In front they were 
protected first by a line of whirling, sharpened stakes, that it 
was deemed impossible to get over, under, or around ; then 
a line of torpedoes planted in the ground, and marked by 
little white flags to keep their own men from stepping on, 
and exploding them. In case of an attack their retreating 
pickets were supposed to pull up these markers and leave 
the ground unmarked, for our troops to pass over and get 
blown up. Next beyond these was a line of trip wires, 



324 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

then a heavy cheval-de-frise, and then the deep ditch of 
the fort, and all the resistance of its men and armament. 

There was no firing between the pickets except during 
the night, commencing about dark, and ending by mutual 
consent at daylight. December 2d I was detailed with 
others for picket duty. Our position was in front of the 
fort, and to the left of the centre. Both armies relieved 
their pickets at the same time, at about four o'clock in the 
afternoon each day. We occupied a line of horseshoe 
pits about fifteen feet apart, connected by breast-works. 
Each man detailed for picket duty was required to carry 
out a big stick of wood to keep the fire burning all night, 
thus adding much to our comfort this cold weather. 

The first night of our experience on this picket line we 
were ordered to keep up a continual fire all night long on 
the rebel line. Being well provided with ammunition, we 
made things lively for the rebels that night, and they gave 
us as good as we sent. In the morning, after the firing 
had ceased, the Johnnies began to jump over to the front 
of their pits and commenced digging for the lead we had 
fired away during the night. Considerable conversation 
was kept up with them during the day, and we asked 
them the reason of their hunting so eagerly for our bullets. 
They told us that for each ten pounds of lead they gath- 
ered, they were granted one day's pass to Petersburg, and 
if they happened to secure a solid shot or an unexploded 
shell, three days' leave of absence rewarded them. Dur- 
ing our bombardments a shell from our mortars would oc- 
casionally i fall outside their works and plunge into the 
ground without bursting, the fuse being extinguished. 
They would watch it for a minute after it landed, and then 
make a rush to get it. A score or more of them, fighting, 
struggling, digging, for the possession of that shell, was 
fun for us to witness, and generally the strongest man in 
the mob carried away the heav}^ prize. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 325 

On the 8th we received marching orders, and were re- 
Heved of picket duty and ordered to leave our tents stand- 
ing, and in Hght marching order to be ready to leave at a 
moment's notice. We remained in the fort under orders 
all that day and night. A cold driving storm of rain and 
sleet now burst upon us, making everything uncomfortable, 
especially the thoughts of moving in such a storm. 

The next afternoon the cry "fall in" was heard. We 
were quickly in line, in fighting trim, carrying blankets, 
rations, and ammunition only, and soon started. The rain 
poured in torrents; the ground was one mass of sticky, 
slippery, yellow mud, and wallowing, stumbling along 
through the mire, we gained the main line in the rear, when 
a halt was ordered, the line faced about and marched back 
to our quarters in the fort. 

We hoped this move had been countermanded, and 
were much disappointed when, at 6 o'clock, just at dusk, 
"fall in " was heard again, and forming line with much 
grumbling and growling, we again passed out to the rear. 
Reaching a point a mile or so from the camp, we halted, 
and here found nearly the whole of our division, ready to 
move, whither we knew not. 

Rations of hard tack only were here issued to us, and we 
w^ere told to take as much as possible, as we were going 
outside our lines, where we might be detained several days, 
and no teams were to accompany us. Orders were also 
given to keep together, avoid straggling, and all loud talk 
or unnecessary noise ; and at 9 o'clock we started. 

We passed through the left of our lines, past our 
pickets, and struck off to the south on the Jerusalem Plank 
Road. We were now drenched to the skin, the mud was 
ankle deep, the old plank road was much broken in places, 
and we often caught our feet in the holes, causing us to 
stumble and fall in the pitch darkness, tearing our shoes. 



326 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

stockings, and pants in a tearful manner. And thus, wad- 
ing, slipping, stumbling along through mud and water and 
the howling, driving storm, cold and foot-sore and miser- 
able, we marched on, hour after hour, and mile upon mile, 
through the darkness of that dreadful night, until just at 
daylight we found ourselves on the banks of the Nottoway 
River, twenty miles from camp ; and here the whole line 
filed into the fields and bivouacked. Rail fences were in 
demand, but were plenty around these parts, and each man 
soon procured an armful of rails, with which we built rous- 
ing good fires, and dried ourselves (the storm having 
ceased), cooked our breakfast, and lay down to get a few 
hours of much needed sleep. 

The object of this move was now evident. On the 7th, 
two days previous, the Fifth Corps had started on a recon- 
naisance to the Weldon Railroad, beyond Nottoway Court 
House, and reaching south to Bellefield Station, on the Me- 
herrin River, had destroyed the rebel works, depot, etc., 
at that place, and twent}' miles of the railroad, and was 
now on its return. Fearing a strong attack from the en- 
emy in its isolated position, our division had been ordered 
to its support. 

About noon, its advance guard arrived, and soon the 
whole force crossed the river, and passing us, bivouacked a 
mile or two beyond. It had not met with any large force 
of rebels, and consequently the raid had been a success, but 
we always wondered why infantry had been taken for 
such a move as this, when cavalry was better fitted for it, 
especially at this season of the year. 

It is a soldier's privilege to growl ; but there were some- 
times good grounds for growling, and especially so in this 
case. 

All was done now that required our presence here, and 
at half-past one that afternoon we started again, lieading 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 327 

towards camp. Though the rain had ceased, the roads 
were in no better condition, but a cold, clear sky above us 
gave promise of a quick march. Sore and stiff' from our 
march of the night previous, it was sometime, and with 
much suff'ering, before we got well limbered up. About 8 
o'clock in the evening we had reached a point within sup- 
porting distance of our lines, and halted. 

Word was passed along that the men might have their 
choice to remain here over night or keep on to camp. Much 
as we desired a rest, it was better for us to get back to 
camp as soon as possible, and cries of " Go on, go on," 
" Forward to camp," arose the whole length of the line, 
and we started on again. 

The writer, as did many others, found himself in rather a 
poor condition to reach camp that night. My shoes were 
gone, torn off by this broken plank road, and cold, stiff, and 
sore, Comrade Bennett and I struggled on together, halting 
every half mile or so to rest. The regiment passed us. The 
whole line at length had gone by, and we followed slowly 
and as best we could. Along the road on either side were 
men of both corps lying down, unable to move a step far- 
ther, and were it not for the risk of being picked up by 
the rebel cavalry following in our rear, we should also 
have succumbed to worn-out nature and lain down to rest. 
But this danger spurred our flagging spirits, and we 
plodded along until at last we reached our advance picket 
lines. 

Here we rested a short time and then passed inside our 
main line, and halted at the camp of one of our batteries. 
These noble artillery-men had turned out on the approach 
of our forces and made hot coffee for us, so that when we 
came through we were supplied with a cup of this refresh- 
ing beverage, most welcome to us, and for which they 
received our hearty thanks. 



328 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Forward again we started, and at half past ten that 
night arrived at Fort Davis. The minie-balls from the rebel 
picket line swept across the road between this and Fort 
Hell, but nothing daunted, we faced the music, and were 
soon safely in our quarters. 

This was by far the hardest march we ever made. The 
Marlboro, Fredericksburg, or Peninsular marches were 
nothing to it. We had accomplished forty-two miles in 
twenty hours of marching, through a driving rain and sleet, 
mud nearly a foot deep, and over one of the worst roads 
we ever saw, and nearly two-thirds the distance in the 
pitch darkness of a stormy winter's night. 

We were pretty well used up. Our feet were bare, — in 
many cases torn and bleeding, — and many of us, unable 
to obtain shoes, (the quartermaster's department being all 
out of them,) were forced to cut up our blankets and 
bind them in strips around our feet. 

The rebels in small force followed our line of march, 
taking prisoners most of those poor fellows whom we left 
lying by the roadside, unable to get into our lines, and 
stripping them of all but their underclothes, paroled, and 
sent them into our lines during the next few days. 

After I returned to camp I found that some one had "gone 
through " my knapsack during my absence, and stolen 
all my papers, letters, portfolio, and other things. I will 
take back my former assertion now, and say that soldiers 
zvill steal. Others had lost their goods in the same man- 
ner. Thus, while we were suffering the hardships of this 
march in the endeavor to do our duty, these dead-beats, 
who, somehow or other, always manage to get clear of such 
movements, took the opportunity of robbing us of our little 
effects. Filled as they were, with the most despicable 
meanness, of course it must crop out somewhere. 

On the 17th, we received a pretty hot shelling from the 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 329 

enemy's mortars, which lasted several hours without injury 
to any of the Fourth boys as far as I could learn, though 
several of the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, on our right, were 
killed and wounded. Nearly every day we were treated to 
a salute of eight-inch mortars from Fort Damnation, and a 
little incident connected with these bombardments may be 
of interest here. 

About a mile and a half in our rear ran the great " Trans- 
portation Railroad " leading from City Point, Grant's head- 
quarters, to the left of our line, and operated to supply this 
immense army with forage and subsistence. Trains passed 
several times a day, and from our fort the}'^ were in plain 
sight for the distance of nearly half a mile, and could also 
be as plainly seen by the rebels over in Fort Damnation. 

Immediately, on hearing the train coming up or down 
the road, the rebels would run out a gun and sight it on that 
open space and when a train appeared in sight let fly a " boot 
leg." Sometimes the shot would strike on this side of the 
train and bound over, doing no harm, and at other times, 
would crash through the cars with considerable damage, 
upon one occasion striking the locomotive plump and square, 
and knockincT it over into the ditch. This was fun for the 
rebels, to be sure. 

But one day a regular battery of three or four pieces 
happened to be located just on the right of Fort Davis, on 
our main line, who had among their men a gunner long in 
service and very accurate. That afternoon, upon hearing 
the roar of the train coming up the road, our regular gun- 
ner took his bearings, fixed his fuse, and sighted his gun 
on the embrasure of Fort Damnation, where the rebels were 
ready to fire at the train, as usual. We in Fort Hell 
watched the preparation and eagerly awaited the result. 

Soon the train came in sight. Bang w^ent the rebel gun,, 
and the rebels peered through the embrasure to watch the 



33^ FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

effect of their shot, when biff, — a twelve-pound shrapnel 
screeched over our heads from our regular battery, and 
hissing through the rebel embrasure dismounted the gun, 
and bursting in the midst of the gun's crew scattered them 
right and left, killing or wounding half a score of them. It 
was one of the prettiest shots we ever saw, and we stood 
up on top of our works, and swung our hats and yelled 
with delight, when suddenly Fort Damnation opened 
upon us with her battery of thirteen mortars and guns, and 
we hushed up quickly and began to look for some place to 
hide. 

Over came the hissing shell, bursting over and around 
us in quick succession, and sending their shattered pieces 
whirring and whizzing around our ears. 

Our mortars and artillery answered, while peal followed 
peal, and the big black " dinner pots *' came crashing down 
amongst us continually. 

In a short time the fort got too hot to hold us, and those 
who could not find some hole to crawl into betook them- 
selves to the ditches outside the fort, or went out to the 
picket line. This kind of music was pla3'ed nearly every 
other day until it got to be rather monotonous, and it was 
this that gave to the two forts opposed to each other the 
cognomens of" Hell" and " Damnation." 

Toward night the firing would lull down and finally 
cease, but they had a bad habit of sometimes opening upon 
us in the dead of the night, when all, save those on duty, 
wei-e asleep, and in these cases it was amazmg to see how 
quick we could get out of bed when awakened from our 
sweet slumber by a nine-inch mortar shell rapping at the 
door, and acting as if it meant business. 

Several were killed or wounded during these hot times, 
but mostly in the Seventh and Forty-fifth regiments, they 
being directly in the line of fire. At our first experience 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 33I 

of this shelling, we all felt "kinder worked up," and the 
boys of these two regiments would not stay in their bomb- 
proofs, fearing a shell might break through, as sometimes 
happened ; but after a month's residence in this happy cli- 
mate, we got somewhat used to it, and simply watched the 
course of the shell, and if we saw it was coming too near 
to be comfortable, get behind something and wait for it to 
burst. 

Two old men, cooks of the Seventh Rhode Island, oc- 
cupied a bomb-proof together in the fort, in which they 
lived and prepared the daily meals of their company. As 
they were within one afternoon, engaged in eating their 
supper, a solid shot from Fort Damnation struck their 
bomb-proof and went through over their heads like a thun- 
derbolt. The door was their only means of exit, and was 
only wide enough for one to get out at a time. But when 
their iron visitor came tearing through and knocking pots 
and pans and kettles around their heads, they dropped their 
supper, and making a desperate leap for the door, reached 
it at the same time, and in their haste to get out, became 
wedged tight in the doorway. There they stuck, and 
squirmed, and kicked, and struggled, frightened out of 
their wits, and unable to get either way, out or in, while 
the fort resounded with the yells and laughter of their 
comrades. In a moment, however, they got loose, and as 
no one was hurt, joined in the laugh with the rest of us. 

One day at guard mount, the rebels opened their mor- 
tar practice as usual, and the shell began dropping into the 
fort rather lively. On ordinary occasions the guard would 
have cut short their evolutions to shelter themselves, and 
they were becoming quite nervous, when Adjutant Spooner, 
who was in charge, determined to set them an example of 
coolness under fire, and ordered the " troops beat off." 

The guard standing at parade rest, the fife and drum 



332 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

passed slowly down the line. Just at this moment, a large 
mortar shell came over in a direct line for this guard and 
falling directly over and to within ten feet of Adjutant 
Spooner's head, it burst, sending its pieces flying in every 
direction over the fort. Our little adjutant never winked nor 
moved his head, but went through with the regular evolu- 
tions of guard mount as though never a shell had crossed 
the air. 

Many incidents of these bomb-shell festivals occur to 
the mind of the writer as he pens these lines, that in them- 
selves would fill quite a volume, but these few must suffice 
for the present. 

December 25th, Christmas, passed off' pleasantly with us, 
and everything glided along as usual until the 31st, when 
just at daybreak, the rebel pickets opened a rapid and con- 
tinuous fire, which, of course, increasing the return fire of 
our pickets, speedily alarmed the whole line, front and rear. 

Apprehending an immediate attack, we sprang from our 
beds, and hurrying on our equipments manned the works, 
ready to give the Johnny Rebs an unhealthy reception. 

The artillery was double shotted, ammunition distributed, 
and everything in readiness for quick and close action, 
when suddenly the pickets' fire stilled down to its usual rate, 
and the excitement being over, we repaired to our quarters, 
not very much pleased at being turned out so early in the 
morning by that kind of a reveille. 

It was evident they contemplated forcing the lin^s at this 
point, but found them too strongly guarded, as they after- 
wards forced them at Fort Steadman on our right, — of 
which in its place. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 333 

January^ i86j. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



SIEGE LIFE IN FORT HELL. 

THE new year, 1865, dawned upon us pleasant and 
quiet. We had reason to expect that the next 
New Year's day would find our land at peace, and 
those among us who were spared to see that time, safe at 
home enjoying the fruits of our long, weary struggle with 
rebellion. 

Both armies now seemed to settle down to a rest before 
going forward in the arduous duties of the spring campaign. 
Picket firing almost ceased in our front, the rebels reserv- 
ing their ammunition for a more important use, and our 
boys refrained from keeping up a one-sided lire, and so the 
storm of shot and shell we had been so used to nearly every 
day ceased, and <' all quiet along the lines" was the daily 
report. 

During this mutual armistice the pickets of both sides 
amused themselves during the long hours of the night, by 
conversing across the hnes, singing songs of the war, for 
each other's benefit, and doing a Httle trading when unob- 
served by their superior officers. 

At various times a party of our men from the fort would 
engage in a match game of foot ball on the open space be- 
tween the fort and picket line. 



334 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

This never failed to interest the Johnnies, who would col- 
lect from all parts of their line and watch the progress of 
the game, taking as much pleasure therein as if no deadly 
feud existed between us. 

On these occasions when so many of them were gathered 
in a crowd but half a stone's throw from us, we had a good 
opportunity to remark the vast difference between the 
clothing and general make-up of the two armies. 

While our men were dressed in good warm pants, 
blouses, and overcoats, and evidently well led and taken 
care of, the poor Johnnies could be seen, hardly two 
dressed alike, pants of blue, brown, or gray, ragged and 
worn with long service, a blanket with a hole in the centre 
placed over their shoulders forming jacket and overcoat, 
and with hats of all shapes. 

Thus they would stand, in most cases, pitiful looking 
objects, evidently with not life enough to scratch them- 
selves ; but let them hear the word "forward" and you 
would be surprised to see what a lively set of men they 
could be. 

Thus time passed in regular routine of camp, garrison, 
and picket duties, until January 12th, when the Seventh and 
Fourth regiments were relieved of picket duty and marched, 
armed only with axes and haversacks some distance to the 
rear, and halted in the midst of a forest. Here we were 
set at work making gabions. 

The manner of procedure was as follows : A number of 
stakes were cut about four feet long, and sharpened at one 
end. They were then stuck in the ground, in a circle 
about two and a half feet in diameter. Small brush and 
vines were then woven in and out around the stakes from 
bottom to top like a basket, and fastened with bits of wire. 
Placed around the parapets or embrasures of the fort, they 
were solidly filled with earth, and served to strengthen and 
maintain the works. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 335, 

The Seventh Rhode Island were experts at this business, 
but the Fourth boys were inexperienced. Instructions were 
given us by the men and officers of the Seventh, but some- 
how or other we failed to " catch on" to this species of 
military science, and after several ineffectual attempts to 
educate us, Colonel Daniels dismissed us in disgust, and we 
were detailed to do all the garrison and picket duty at the 
fort, while the Seventh were away at their daily labor in the 
woods. Having been more used to facing the rebels in our 
line of duty, this was a great deal more satisfactory to us 
than blistering our lingers making gabions. 

With the exception of the arrival of a large lot of boxes 
from home for the boys on the 21st, and another on the 
28th, and the consequent feasting and good time thereupon, 
nothing of special interest occurred to break the monotony 
of siege life here until the 30th, when a flag of truce was 
discovered floating over the rebel line and shortly after ad- 
vanced to a position halfway between the lines and halted. 

A flag from our side immediately went out to meet it, 
when permission was asked for a party of the rebel author- 
ities consisting of Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President 
of the Confederacy, R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, and 
J. M. Campbell, of Alabama, commissioners from Jeffer- 
son Davis, to cross our lines at this point, and proceed to 
City Point and Fort Monroe, and there to meet Presi- 
dent Lincoln and negotiate for an armistice and terms of 
peace. 

This joyful news was hailed with great delight by both 
armies, and very soon a bit of white cloth stuck on the end 
of a stick or ramrod, could be seen floating from the top 
of each picket post on both sides. The excitement quickly 
spread, and the works were covered with men, yelling, 
cheering, and making every demonstration of joy at the 
prospect of having no more fighting to do. 



2^6 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

Guards were posted on each picket line to keep the men 
from crossing over, for had not this precaution been taken 
the men of both sides, so long pitted against each other, 
would have crossed the lines zxvAfi'aternized^ and the blue 
and the gray would have got so mixed up, that so far as 
reo-ards these two armies, the war would have been ended 
right there and thcn^ in spite of all officers and orders to the 
contrary. 

Thus ended the month of January. History has recorded 
the result of this interview at Fort Monroe, or more prop- 
erly, Hampton Roads, and although it had terminated with- 
out the desired end of the war, still peace was maintained 
between both armies here until the i6th of February. 

During this interval, parties of ladies accompanied by 
officers passed through our fort, upon several occasions, out 
to the point on the picket lines nearest the rebel line, and 
there enjoyed the novelty of viewing the great and intricate 
fortifications and the two antagonistic armies of this war as 
they lay at peace with each other. This was a privilege 
that was seldom enjoyed by anyone outside the army. They 
were also allowed to converse with the rebels across the lines 
so long as they were careful not to impart any valuable infor- 
mation, and the lectures some of those women gave the rebels 
were cautions. Nevertheless, the Johnnies were greatly 
amused, if not edified, and listened patiently to all they had 
to say, and then would ask them where they got all their 
good clothes, or some such question. 

But one day, one of a party of ladies so engaged in con- 
versation with them, suddenly took from under her cloak a 
package of letters, and before any one could stop her she 
threw them over into the rebel line. She was quickly 
seized as a sp}^ and escorted back into the fort, where she 
was confined in the guard-house. She was soon after car- 
ried as a prisoner to headquarters, and what became of her 
subsequently I never knew. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 337 

The weather was now beautiful, pleasant, and warm. 
We spent our time in ordinary duties, visiting friends in 
other regiments on the line, and in various ways, until the 
afternoon of the i6th of February, when the report of a 
heavy gun down on the right, the first we had heard for 
twenty days, brought us to the top of our works, and told 
us that our spring campaign had begun, our truce ended, 
and that we must again accustom ourselves to the sound 
■of shot and shell until the end of this cruel war. 

An artillery duel was now in progress between a number 
of batteries on our right, and being half a mile away, we 
watched it with much interest. Crowds of men lined the 
tops of the works on both sides, and applauded the best 
shots. 

On the 19th another such duel occurred between about 
the same batteries, and the boys, eager to witness the show, 
climbed to the top of the ramparts, magazines, bomb- 
proofs, and every other available place ; and the interesting 
performance excited the same attention from our neighbors 
over in the rebel lines. Soon after the fun commenced, we 
noticed two men come into our fort from the rear, in citi- 
zen's dress, and in company with two officers. They were 
past the middle age, of fine appearance, and doubtless 
men of influence at headquarters, or at Washington ; and 
as the opportunity to inspect the rebel line and to witness a 
real live artillery duel was now offered them, they, with 
their escort of two officers, mounted a convenient bomb- 
proof, and with field-glass in hand, watched with much 
interest the flying shot and shell down on the right. 

But our rebel neighbors over in Fort Damnation fixed 
their eyes upon them, and, doubtless, believing that it 
was President Lincoln or some of his Cabinet, considered 
that this was too good a chance to throw away, and we 
noticed them jump down to their guns. In a few seconds 



338 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

more, a puff of smoke from their gun, and with a roar a 
twelve-pound shrapnel came bounding over towards this 
group and burst nearly over their heads. 

In less time than it takes to tell it, that bomb-proof was 
cleared of spectators, and those two old citizens never 
displayed so much agility since the days of their boyhood. 
With a leap like a cat they cleared the space before them, 
and crouched closely under our ramparts, scared almost out 
of their wits ; but hardly had they reached them, when an- 
other shrapnel followed the lirst, and they both ran into 
our part of the fort. 

Our men jumped to their guns and mortars, and began 
work, which speedily brought the rebel volley of thirteen, 
eight, and ten-inch mortar shells howling and bursting 
about our ears. The two old gents hugged the breast- 
works closely, while the boys yelled at them : "Go back 
to Baltimore," " Come in out of the draught," " Put 'em in 
the guard house," and other like badinage. 

I picked up a piece of shell that fell near one of them, 
and as it was yet warm from the gun, I presented it to the 
old fellow, who said : " Thank you ; I shall keep this to 
remember this occasion ; but really I don't see what there 
is for you men to laugh at. I confess, we are in a critical 
situation, and would like to have you show us the way 
out." Just then the two officers who came in with them 
made their appearance, and quickly escorted them to the 
traverse, and so out to the rear, where they were soon out 
of harm's way ; but we venture to assert they never forgot 
Fort Hell, or the warm reception they got from Fort Dam- 
nation that day. 

We were kept dodging shells for the next half hour, 
when the firing quieted down and finally ceased. 

News from Sherman's army on their march to the sea, 
now reached us. On the 20th a dispatch was read to us 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 339 

that he had taken Columbia, S. C. Cheers resounded 
from fort to fort, and the rebel pickets being also desirous of 
learning the news, our men in the picket line told them, but 
not a cheer was heard from their side. 

The next day another dispatch told us that Charleston, 
the hot-bed of the Rebellion, and the birth-place of this war, 
had succumbed to the onward and irresistible march of our 
brave comrades in Sherman's army. A salute from one of 
the large forts in our rear greeted its reception, and our 
hearts were cheered as we thus saw the Confederacy 
crumbling to pieces. 

On the 22d and 23d, appearances in our front indicated 
an attack. Lines of rebels marched and counter-marched. 
Their works were crowded with them. Their pickets re- 
lieved two or three times a day, and they seemed to be 
massing troops to break through our lines at this point, and 
during these two nights, our works were manned all night, 
and every preparation made to give them a hot reception. 

In that portion of the fort occupied by the Seventh and 
Forty-fifth regiments, there was a cistern or well dug, 
which supplied the cooks with water. One morning this 
well was found dry. What could have caused it? Noth- 
ing but a hole underneath it. The rebels were mining- 
Fort Hell, and were almost ready to blow us up, as we 
had them last July. It was quickly reported at head- 
quarters. Officers were sent over here to investigate. 
They had holes dug in the ditch outside the fort, and 
tried in various ways to reach the mine. 

At 3 o'clock, each morning, the whole garrison was 
aroused, and fell in line at the breast-works, keeping the 
centre of the fort, where the mine was supposed to be, as 
clear of troops aS possible, and ready to resist an assault if 
they completed their scheme of giving us a bird's-eye view 
of Petersburg and its surroundings. After two or three 



340 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

days' investigation, it was reported that the rebels had 
really undermined us, but from the excess of water which 
flooded their mine, and which they could not pump out fast 
enough, they were obliged to suspend operations, and 
another illustration of the effect of powder and fuse was 
happily avoided. 

On the 24th, another dispatch from Sherman informed 
us that Wilmington, N. C, was captured, and in honor 
thereof, a shotted salute, was ordered to be fired from our 
front line of works, each gun in battery firing one round, 
commencing on the extreme right. The rebels had a bright 
idea. They could tell by this the number of guns in each 
of our forts, but our artiller^'-men played a Yankee trick 
upon them. The pieces that fired first on the right flank 
of each fort were run over to the left flank, and fired again 
in their turn, so that a four gun battery could fire six 
shots, from as many different embrasures ; and they must 
have thought we had an awful amount of artillery in posi- 
tion. One or two of their batteries replied, but not to au}^ 
great extent. 

Something was wrong again inside the rebel line. 
From being crowded to excess, as in the last few days, 
they were now at the other extreme, and scarcely any 
troops could be seen. For the last few days, they had 
hardly honored us with a shot. We had an idea that they 
were drawing their troops away from here, in order to 
pounce upon Sherman, and our batteries were ordered to 
open a heavy fire upon them. The bombardment began 
at half past three in the afternoon, and lasted till sunset, 
but failed to draw a response from them with the exception 
of one or two mortars. 

The next morning, Februar}^ 26th, a thick fog settled 
over both lines. We could neither see the rebel fines, nor 
3'et hear a sound from them. The air was still as a Sun- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 34I 

day morning in summer at home. It was rather suspicious, 
and our general thought best to feel them a little. 

We were ordered to " fall in in light marching order," 
and were soon in line, stacked arms, and broke ranks, 
with orders to stay by, ready to advance across the line at 
a moment's notice. We hung around our breast-works, and 
watched and waited for the next move. 

But about 9 o'clock the fog lifted its thick curtain, and 
revealed to us the rebel line as thick with troops as eve?', 
and in position, as if expecting us to make a morning call. 
What a hornet's nest we should have got into if we had 
gone over in the fog ! Of course, the idea was now aban- 
doned and our orders countermanded. 

Thus watching, waiting, ever on the alert, we passed the 
month of February, knowing that but a short time must 
elapse before one side or the other must make a break. 
There must be one more grand struggle before many days, 
and the result could not be doubted. Though many a 
poor fellow would be laid low, yet by their sacrifice the 
victory would be won, and the Confederacy sunk into ob- 
livion. 



342 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

March, iSdj. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 

THE month of March opened quietly with us and 
continued so until the evening of the 13th. About 
8 p. M., of that day, a large flock of wild geese 
passed over our lines, and it being quite dark they flew 
very low and made considerable noise. Upon hearing 
them, the pickets of both sides opened fire upon them over 
their heads, bringing down a number, some of which fell 
within the rebel lines. The i-ebels yelled with joy, and, 
excited to find such a heaven sent addition to their scanty 
rations, poured volley after volley in the direction of the 
poor geese. But this continued fire and yelling alarmed 
our whole line. Those in camp hurried on their equipments 
and rallied at the breast-works. The batteries were double- 
shotted, and lively times were anticipated that night. The 
paymaster, who happened to be in Fort Hell engaged in 
distributing greenbacks to us, shut and locked his treasure- 
chest, and made quick time to the rear. But as soon as 
the firing lulled down and the real cause of it became 
known, the excitement died away, and the troops returned 
to their quarters. But this event serves to show how quick 
an unusual fire of the pickets will bring the whole line to 
their guns, readv for action. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 343 

For several days following, the Johnnies appeared very 
active in our front, show^ing themselves in great numbers 
on top of their works, marching and counter-marching, 
forming lines of battle as if for an assault, relieving their 
pickets three or four times in a day, and various other 
movements, probably intended to deceive us as to their 
real object or numbers. 

About noon of the 15th their works were so crowded and 
their manoeuvres so threatening that orders were received 
to "fall in" in fighting trim, stack arms, and be prepared 
to move at a moment's notice, " where circumstances might 
direct." We spent the rest of the day watching the active 
movements of the rebels over the way, expecting to see 
them jump their works and advance in line of battle upon 
us, and ready to give them "Hail Columbia" if they 
should. But night came without the expected attack. 

On the 2ist, byway of a reminder that they were still at 
home to visitors, they gave us a severe shower of shells, 
which lasted over three hours, and resulted in the loss of 
a few men in each of our regiments in the fort. Lieutenant 
Costello, of our company, was knocked over by the concus- 
sion of a shell and slightly wounded. 

At half past four, on the morning of the 24th, we were 
awakened by the report of a heavy gun on our right, and 
immediately we were up and in arms. The pickets in 
front, along the whole line, rattled away furiously for a few 
minutes, but the artillery held its fire, as it was soon discov- 
ered that the assault was farther down on our right. 

The rebels, taking advantage of the fact that many of 
their number were entering our lines nightly as deserters, 
tried to play a genuine Yankee trick upon us. 

On the night of the 23d, General Gordon's (rebel) corps 
was massed in rear of their picket lines directly opposite 
Fort Steadman. Soon after midnight they began sending 



344 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

small parties of men, selected for the purpose, over into 
our picket line as deserters from the Confederacy. Our 
men in the pits, accustomed to receiving such, more or less^ 
every night, gave them, of course, a hearty welcome. But 
they kept coming until the boys began to joke about it, but 
none of them in the least suspected that anything was 
wrong. At 4 o'clock, a number equal to the number of our 
pickets were in our line, when, at a signal, they each 
grabbed a Yank, and the surrender of the picket line fol- 
lowed without a shot having been fired in its defense. 
Everything was done quietly. Gordon's corps now ad- 
vanced to the assault, quickly and without noise. Passing 
over the captured portion of our picket line, they soon 
reached our main line at a point between Fort Steadman 
and Battery No. 10, and were in possession of these earth- 
works almost before our troops knew what was going on. 
It was a complete surprise. Pressing down upon Batteries 
II and 12, they also threatened the railroad to City Point, 
and the situation was indeed a critical one. Our main line 
was broken, the garrisons of Fort Steadman and three other 
batteries wiped out, and a strong base, from which to de- 
ploy and break up our line of siege, was gained. It was 
another "Mine" affair, without the explosion. 

Had Gordon been supported as he should have been : 
had his men kept on, instead of stopping to hold what they 
had already gained ; had the rest of the rebel army followed 
up, by assault, this grand achievement of Gordon's men, 
there is no telling what the result would have been. ' They 
had us in front and flank, and almost in rear, and we fully 
expected that they would follow up their brilliant success. 
But the poor, half-starved men, as soon as they gained the 
inside of our works, almost ceased their assault, and began 
to search the quarters of our troops for plunder. 

This gave our line time to recover from the surprise, and 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 345, 

the artillery, in flank and rear, opened a heavy fire upon 
Fort Steadman. Hartranft's division of the Ninth Corps 
now formed on the right of Fort Steadman, and drove them 
into the fort. The artillery was massed in the rear, and 
Wilcox, with two divisions, charged down on the left, while 
Parke swept around to the picket lines in front, and they 
were surrounded. An hour's lively work, and they sur- 
rendered. We captured 2,000 prisoners, — seventy-one of 
whom were officers, — nine stands of colors, and a large 
number of small arms. Their loss was about four thousand, 
all told, while ours figured about half that number. 

As in the battle of the Mine, (the forces being reversed), 
one general, with his corps, was unsupported — after he 
broke through the mainline — by his superiors in rank, and 
was cut to pieces and left to get out of the scrape as best he 
could. Thus does history often repeat itself. General 
Gordon's assault, his success in breaking our line, his lack 
of support, his failure to hold his position, and his losses, 
were nearly identical with that of General Burnside on the 
30th of July previous, with the exception of a mine explo- 
sion, or capturing the pickets by a ruse. 

Soon after daylight, as it was seen that no attack in front 
of Fort Hell was contemplated, the pickets ceased firing, 
and the works on both sides were quickly covered with 
men, gazing intently upon the struggle at Fort Steadman 
on the right. At half past nine the battle was over. 

Fearing that another surprise might be attempted, we 
were ordered to turn out at half past three every morning 
subsequently, armed and equipped, and man the works till 
daylight. 

We have mentioned the fact of a large lot of gabions 
having been made by the Seventh Rhode Island. An in- 
cident occurred to the writer and several comrades in con- 
nection with these gabions the day following the above 
fight, which nearly cost us our lives. 



346 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

A great number of them had been made, and were piled 
up in an immense heap in the woods, about one and a half 
miles in our rear. A guard of a corporal and three men 
from the regiment, were daily sent over to watch them, 
and keep them from being appropriated by other troops. 
The writer with his three men, duly reached the place that 
day, and relieved the old guard there. 

In the midst of the huge pile, an open space had been 
made, for the comfort and convenience of the guard, and 
was reached by a narrow entrance, or lane, from the out- 
side. In this space a large fire was built, to keep us warm, 
and enable us to cook our rations. 

There being no special necessity of keeping awake all 
night, we fixed up a good fire of heavy logs and at about 
10 o'clock turned in, and rolling ourselves in our blankets, 
were soon fast asleep. 

Somewhere about midnight, a log laying across the fire 
burnt in two, and rolling down against the gabions, set 
them on fire. Being composed of dry twigs and vines, 
they burned like tinder, and very soon the inside of our 
little chamber was all ablaze. 

The crackling of the flames as they spread around the 
inclosure and leaped high in the air above the top of the 
huge pile, awoke us, and seizing those of our effects we 
could most easily reach, we awoke the other men who 
were still asleep, and all four of us got out of that blazing 
inclosure in a hurry. One-half minute more and the 
flames would have seized upon our only means of exit, the 
little lane through the heap of gabions, and doubtless we 
should have been roasted to death, as there was no other 
possible way to get out. 

The fire was now under great headway. It would not 
do to let all the gabions burn up, so with the help of some 
army butchers who were camped near by, we set briskly at 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 347 

work on the windward side of the heap, overhauling them, 
and cutting a passage through ahead of tlie flames. After 
about an hour's lively work, we succeeded in saving about 
two-thirds of them. 

As soon as daylight appeared we began to fix up matters 
as best we could, removing the traces of the fire, and piling 
up the remainder of the gabions in as near the former shape 
as possible, agreed to keep still about it, for fear we should 
be charged with neglect of duty or sleeping on our post. 

When the new guard arrived next day to relieve us, we 
returned to camp. One of the party had lost his rifle, and 
as we passed by the camp of a regiment on the road, it be- 
ing quite dark, he managed to borrow one that he saw 
sticking out under a tent. Each one of us lost something of 
his traps, but managed to obtain duplicates without exciting 
the curious inquiries of our comrades in camp, and secretly 
congratulated ourselves upon our narrow escape from be- 
ing roasted to death in the midst of those gabions. 

On the night of the 28th, our pickets again increased 
their fire, the line was alarmed, and we turned out and 
manned the works. After an hour's lively firing, they 
quieted down to their regular night's work. These frequent 
alarms of the pickets show how close each line watched 
the other for an advance, and how ready they were to re- 
pel it. 

Orders now^ came for us to pack up, and be ready to 
move at daylight. We knew that our forces on the extreme 
left were advancing to turn the rebel right, and at the 
proper moment we should be ordered to strike him here in 
the centre, and therefore we kept everything prepared for 
sharp work at an instant's notice. 

At half past eleven on the night of the 29th, the line was 
again alarmed, and seriously. 

The pickets' fire increased to a constant roar. The 



34S FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

enemy's batteries opened on us, and we were treated to 
another exhibition of midnight fire-works. Shot and shell 
flew over and around us continually till about 3 o'clock, 
when it slackened, and at sunrise had ceased. 

Thus during nearly the whole of the month of March 
we were kept constantly " on our muscle," sleeping at night 
with all our clothes on, with equipments strapped around 
us, and our rifles lying loaded by our side. 

Often, both day and night, we could hear the boom of the 
guns of Warren and Sheridan, miles away on our left, and 
news reached us that they were slowly but surely gaining 
the rebel right and rear, and we knew that a few days 
more must decide the fate of Petersburg and Richmond. 

Just after dark, on the night of April ist, I took the can- 
teens of our mess and went down to the well in the rear of 
the fort to fill them and have things ready in case of emer- 
gency. There I found close under the rear of our fort, the 
remainder of our division lying on the ground, closed en 
masse, and ready to advance on Fort Damnation. As far 
as I could see to the right were masses of troops, advanced 
from the rear line, and awaiting orders. General Hart- 
ranft's division lay at the rear of Fort Rice, the next fort on 
our right, with two brigades of Wilcox's division in his 
support. 

I immediately returned to my quarters with this informa- 
tion, and we began to make final preparations for the com- 
ing break. 

Breaking open our packages of cartridges, we filled the 
pockets of our blouses with them, it being much handier in 
action to take them from the pocket than the cartridge box. 
Stowing away in our haversack a little roll of lint and a 
small four-ounce bottle of whiskey to use in case of acci- 
dents, and reloading our rifles, our "decks were cleared 
for action," and we sauntered around the fort and awaited 
events. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 349 

Pioneers were sent out with axes to clear away a space 
through the abatis in front of our fort, for the troops to 
pass through, and everything was prepared for action, 
when, at ii o'clock, news was received from the left, of the 
total rout of the enemy in front of Warren and Sheridan. 

Orders were at once given to open our batteries on the 
rebel line, and immediately the night air resounded with the 
roar of our artillery as shot and shell swept over the works 
or burst in the rebel lines. Though they replied occasion- 
ally, it was evident they were saving their ammunition for 
the last great struggle. 

At half-past four the next morning, Sunday, April 2d, 
1865, the word " Forward " was heard, and the assaulting 
column moved quietly by the left flank from the rear of 
Fort Hell until the fort was uncovered, and then forward 
at a " right oblique," and " front forward by division " at 
a double quick, jumping the rebel rifle-pits in our front, 
with a cheer they charged home. Mounting the ramparts 
of Fort Damnation, they planted their colors, and upon the 
right of this fort swept over the rebel mortar batter}'^ and all 
the rest of the works clear to the Appomattox River, driv- 
ing them back upon their inner line and turning the works 
against them. The battle now raged fiercely from right to 
left, and the bright sun of that beautiful Sabbath morning 
arose on a field covered with the battle smoke of the two 
contending armies. 

The artillery-men of our fort unable to get their guns out 
of the works, seized their sponge staffs and other equip- 
ments, and rushed across to the batteries on the right, to 
work the guns already captured. Company B, of the 
Fourth, was ordered to bring out intrenching tools. Away 
we went through storms of grape that hopped and skipped 
along our path. Our captain dropped, wounded through 
the leg. Here another one fell, and begged us to stop and 



350 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

take him to the rear. But matters were too pressing just 
then. Reaching the fort, we jumped down into the ditch, 
which was filled with our troops of the assaulting column. 

The rebels ran out a gun through the embrasure over our 
heads and enfiladed the ditch. " Fill up that embrasure." 
Three or four of us clambered up into the embrasure, and 
dug away with our shovels to fill it up. But it was useless. 
The gun was run out almost in our faces, and we got back 
into the ditch. Our company was now ordered to the rear, 
to bring out ammunition for the captured rebel guns. We 
passed through the mortar battery, and looked for a mo- 
ment on those black devils that had so often made us dodge 
and hustle around over in Fort Hell. They were faced the 
other way now. No more would they cast their black shell 
into our midst, and we rejoiced. Back over the lines we 
ran, and leaping our works, each two of us seized a box ol 
fixed artillery ammunition, and out again to the captured 
lines : and so the struggle went on. 

And now the lines were as far as they could go, and I 
mounted our works and took in the situation. All the main 
line of rebel works, from Fort Damnation to the river, were 
filled with our troops. A thin line of blue stretched along 
to the right, lying close under cover. The firing lulled 
down, and both sides rested to get their breath for the next 
struggle, and watched each other like two wild beasts, 
ready to take any advantage that might be given. 

Reenforcements were sent for, and about 2 o'clock, two 
brigades from City Point and one from the Sixth Corps 
arrived. These were immediately put into action, and suc- 
ceeded in forcing the rebels back a short distance. 

Among these troops were the One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Pennsylvania, a regiment of zouaves, who had been 
acting as Grant's headquarter guard, and many of whom 
were now under fire for the first time. Their bright red 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 3 ::; I 

and blue uniforms and bran new colors quickly attracted 
the attention of the rebel sharp-shooters, and as they 
passed out to our picket-line, they drew such a fire that 
several of them dropped. Their officers now cheered 
them on, and after several ineffectual attempts to get them 
out of the pits, they at length started and charged forward 
on the run, straight for the batteries of the inner line. 
They charged home splendidly, and mounting the ram- 
parts, planted their colors, while our batteries and line of 
men in the captured works seconded their noble efforts, 
but without avail, and they fell back, leaving over one hun- 
dred of their brave comrades dead or wounded on the ram- 
parts of that rebel fort. 

This line of inner works, defended as it was by one of 
General Lee's veteran corps, was impregnable to the as- 
saults of this force of men, and soon after this attempt the 
firing almost ceased ; both parties held on to their respect- 
ive positions, but neither was able to advance a foot. 

About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the rebels made one 
grand effort to break through, or, at least, to regain a por- 
tion of their lost line, and jumping over their works, they 
came down upon us in a furious charge, and succeeded in 
starting for a moment the whole of this portion of our lines. 
Things began to look as if they might break through, but 
our batteries concentrated a rapid and deadly fire upon 
them, our men rallied, and with a wild cheer charged 
them, driving them headlong back to their holes, capturing 
several battle-flags and many prisoners. 

It was no use, and at 5 o'clock this sudden storm had 
subsided. This was the last attempt to assault upon either 
side, and at dark, after an all day's struggle, we held about 
the same relative position as gained in the first assault of 
the morning. 

At about 10 o'clock that night we were startled by a 



352 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

heavy explosion, and a bright glare of light in the direction 
of the city told us that Petersburg and its defenses were 
being evacuated. Our skirmish line was immediately ad- 
vanced over the rebel works and found them deserted to 
the outskirts of the town. 

The troops in front of us marched down into the cit}'. 
and the rest of us began to get ready to follow. The whole 
rebel army was now on the move down the Southside 
Railroad, towards Burkesville. Pressed vigorously on all 
sides, the enemy was routed at all points, and our army 
was mostly underway, close upon his heels. We im- 
mediately made preparations to follow, and three days' 
rations were cooked up in a hurry. Soon after sunrise, on 
the 3d, we left our old position at Fort Hell, and crossing 
the rebel lines that we had been pounding away at so long, 
halted on the hills just in the suburbs of Petersburg. 

Everybody was happy at the turn events had taken, and 
we were confident that we were rapidly nearing the end of 
our long, long struggle for the " suppression of rebellion 
and the preservation of constitutional liberty." 

Word was now passed along the line that President 
Lincoln (who had been watching events from Grant's 
headquarters at City Point) was now approaching, to lead 
our victorious columns into the city of Petersburg. Soon, 
he appeared in sight, coming over the hills, followed by 
his staff. Immediately the whole force was in commo- 
tion, and without stopping to form a line, we gathered in a 
crowd alongside the road, and prepared to give him a joy- 
ful welcome. 

As he reached us he took off his hat and held it down 
at his side, and with a countenance radiant with joyous 
gratification at the result of our labors, he proudly rode 
through the assembled multitude of his brave soldier-boys 
amid the shouts, cheers, waving of hats, and the music of 
the bands, and took his place at the head of the line. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 353 

We quickly formed in column of companies, and with 
the old hero at our head, with our war-worn and ragged 
banners floating over us, and stepping to the time of 
"Yankee Doodle," we made at last our triumphant entry 
into the long besieged city of Petersburg. 

I will state here that this was the last time we ever saw 
our noble old President, Abraham Lincoln. He left us in 
the city, and proceeded to Richmond. Shortly after he re- 
turned to Washington, and on the night of the 14th of 
April, five days after the surrender of Lee's army and the 
virtual end of this war, he was inhumanly murdered by 
one John Wilkes Booth, an emissary of the Confederate 
Government. 

He had labored hardest of any man since the beginnino- 
of this war ; and now, just as he had witnessed the down- 
fall of the rebellion, and had begun to enjoy the fruits of 
his labor, he was suddenly taken from among men. His 
great work upon earth was ended, his mission fulfilled, and 
the angels of heaven, bending over his dying bed, softly 
whispered: "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord." 

We again took up our line of march through the city. 
There were many of the townspeople left, among whom we 
observed several, here and there, in citizen's clothes, who 
bore unmistakable evidence of having been engaged with 
us in the lines about this city, and we found afterwards 
that many of the rebel troops during their retreat through 
the town skedaddled into houses and by-ways, unwilling to 
longer serve in the rebel army, and removing their equip- 
ments, sauntered out on the street to see us pass through. 

After half an hour's halt on the other side of the city, 
we started on, and at dark arrived at a point twelve miles 
from Petersburg, and encamped for the night. Here we 
received the news of the surrender of Richmond to the 



23 



354 FORTY-SIX :months with the 

Army of the James, on our extreme right. At last the old 
rebel capital had fallen, and with prolonged cheers and 
much gratification, we laid our tired bodies on the ground, 
and tried to get a little rest. 

At eight the next morning, April 4th, we were again 
under way, and reaching Dinwiddie Court House, again 
encamped. April 5th we were up with the first streaks of 
daylight, and soon the line of march was taken up, and we 
traveled on in rear of General Ord's columns, mile after 
mile, scarcely halting to rest, until we had put twenty- 
three miles between us and our last night's bivouac, when 
we again halted for the night. A few hours' sleep, and 
the drums and bugles awakened us, to resume our chase 
after Lee's flying forces. We ate a hasty breakfast, and 
shouldering our traps, again took the road. We passed 
through Nottoway Court House in the early afternoon, and 
halted for the night within four miles of Burkesville Junc- 
tion, having footed twenty-six miles that day. 

We were now ordered to encamp here for the present, 
the Ninth Corps holding Burkesville, the junction of the 
Danville and Southside railroads. The rebel army was 
now nearly surrounded, and we had nothing to do at pres- 
ent but hold this place and guard our wagon trains. 

On the 7th, my company (B) of the Fourth was de- 
tailed on a foraging expedition. We traveled back on 
another road to within two miles of Nottoway Court House. 
Here we entered the plantation of a colonel in the rebel 
army, and were ordered to confiscate whatever we could 
find. The mansion was furnished splendidly with every- 
thing to make life enjoyable, showing that the owner was 
a man of taste and culture. After collecting such things as 
we could carry, we gave the slaves of the plantation leave 
to enter the house and appropriate whatever they wanted. 
They were not slow to accept this offer, and immediately 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 355 

men women, and children could be seen emerging tVom 
the house, loaded down with all kinds of furniture, bedding, 
clothmg, pictures, etc. In the afternoon we were ready to 
return to camp, having obtained a good supply of pirk 
bacon, hams, and apple-jack,- the latter article we carried 
mside of us,- and setting fire to the old mansion house, 
we started back, reaching camp just in the earlv evening 
havmg marched about twenty-five miles. " 

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the 8th, we struck camp 
and stretched out on the road again, passing through and 
beyond Burkesville. The afternoon passed away. The 
sun sank m the west, and still we plodded along through the 
dark woods and fields until about lo o'clock, when our 
hearts were gladdened by seeing the bright camp-fires of 
our advance, and soon we filed into the woods on our left 
and halted for the night. ' 

On entering this camp I caught my foot in the root of a 
tree badly spraining the ankle. We had made about sixteen 
miles that day, and were very tired, and after cooking and 
eating our humble supper of hard-tack and coftee, lay 
down and slept undisturbed until morning. 

On the 9th, early, the line again started forward, and 
though my sprained ankle was very stiff and painful, yet 
with my rammer for a cane, I managed to hobble along and 
keep up with my regiment, when late in the afternoon we 
reached Farmsville, and passing through, encamped on 
the other side. 

We were now within a short distance of Lee's army and 
expected to receive orders to move at once to the front. 
Soon after dark an orderly rode on a gallop through our 
camp and halted at the colonel's tent. 

We began to roll up our blankets and get ready to leave, 
supposing, of course, our orders had arrived to advance to 
a position in line of battle and strike them in the mornino-. 



356 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

We of the rank and tile knew nothing as yet of the posi- 
tion or circumstances of Lee's army. We knew that our 
advance had harrassed his every movement, and drove 
him from every standpoint all the way from Richmond and 
Petersburg. We knew his men were rapidly deserting him, 
for we met them now and then upon the road. But we 
supposed he was making for Lynchburg, and reaching 
there, would doubtless find fortifications sufficiently strong 
to hold us back for some time yet. 

I venture to say that not one man in ten among us ex- 
pected the turn afTairs had now taken, for with much grum- 
bling and growling we turned to and packed up ready to 
start forward acjain. 

Imagine our surprise when, a few minutes later, orders 
were received by each company sergeant to "fall in the 
men with equipments and side-arms and report up at the 
colonel's quarters." 

The regiment was soon in line at the colonel's tent. 
Colonel Daniels stood there with a paper in his hand, and 
called '' attention to orders '' ; and then read to us an order 
from headquarters to the effect that Gen. Robert E. Lee, 
of the Army of Northern Virginia, had just surrendered 
his entire forces to General Grant, at Afponiattox Court 
House. 

Words cannot describe the feeling of surprise and jo}' 
with which we listened to this most welcome dispatch, that 
we had waited, fought, and struggled four long years to 
hear. The enthusiasm was immense, and as each regi- 
ment and brigade around us also received the good news, 
cheer upon cheer rose upon the night air for miles through 
the length of this great army. 

We would hardly believe it ; no more fighting ; no more 
toilsome, weary marches ; no more to hear the roar of shot 
and shell, and no more to face the storm of death upon the 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 3^7 

battle-field. The dogs of war were chained at last. But 
little sleep was obtained that night. Crowds of men flocked 
down into the village of Farmsville close by. The meeting- 
house bell was rung with a will. A large number of rebel 
prisoners under guard in the town was set free and frater- 
nized with the boys in the heartiest manner. 

The whole army, both of blue and gray, seemed to be 
wild with delight. This rejoicing continued through all 
that night and the next day, and my pen fails to describe 
the tenth part of the scenes witnessed all around us. 

We were anxious to see the surrender of this old gray- 
backed army that had fought against us so long. But this 
was not allowed us ; and none but the command of General 
Gibbon, the Fifth Corps, and Mackenzie's cavalry, re- 
ceived the surrender of arms, guns, and public property. 

" The rebel army reduced by desertions, killed, wounded, 
and the events of the past few days, numbered only about 
twenty thousand when it surrendered, and with only 170 
pieces of artillery." 

When it is considered that these men had fought in the 
face oi certain defeat, in the face oi starvation dind despair , 
and against us, an overwhelming army of well fed and 
equipped troops, backed by the unlimited resources of the 
Nation, it is a wonder they held out as long as they did, 
and, though in behalf of a mistaken cause, adds another 
tribute to the courage, patriotism, and endurance of the 
American soldier. With an army and navy composed of 
such material as was exhibited on both sides of this great 
struggle, our united Nation may safely challenge the armies 
of the world. 



358 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

April, iSdj. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



ON THE ROAD HOME. 

ON the nth, the second day after this great event in 
our history, we broke camp, and with light hearts, 
about face and started on the back track. At a 
distance of about five miles we halted and pitched our tents 
for a few days, under orders to repair the roads, in order to 
get our artillery through to Burkesville. 

On the 1 2th, both armies began to pass us on their re- 
turn march, the rebel army, or what was left of it, some- 
times by regiments, but oftener in squads of from two to 
twenty, jogging along, well pleased that the war had at 
last closed, giving them also a chance to return home in 
peace. Most of them, however, still retained the old feel- 
ing against us, and remarked, that though beaten this time, 
they were not subdued, and might have another chance at 
us yet. On this day the Sixth Corps passed us, and on 
the 13th, the Second Corps. 

Our little brigade now experienced the cravings of hun- 
ger once more, and for the last time. We were entirely 
without rations since leaving Farmsville, and could not get 
any, our teams from Burkesville not having reached us. 
The country round about was bare of forage, and we were 
forced to live on corn for two days. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 359 

One evening the writer and Comrade Bennett ventured 
out on a foraging expedition among a large pack of mules ; 
and though these mules and battery horses were guarded 
by their drivers, who, with whip in hand, stood watching, 
to repel any attempt of the starving men to steal the nudes' 
food, yet we managed to crawl underneath the mules at 
the risk of getting our brains kicked out, and pick some 
half-chewed ears of corn from amidst the mud and dirt and 
•other refuse matter, and getting safely back to our quar- 
ters, washed them and roasted them in a half-canteen, — 
the soldier's fry-pan, — and with some pine-root bark we 
dug up and boiled, managed to live comfortably for these 
two days. 

At length on the 14th the teams arrived with our rations. 
All this time a continuous crowd of rebel soldiers straggled 
along by us, sometimes stopping at our camp over night, 
and having been supplied with rations by our commissa- 
ries, their haversacks were generally pretty well filled. 
They would sometimes cook at our fires, and often there 
would be seen on one side of the fire a big Johnny, with 
plenty to eat, frying his pork and hard-tack, and devour- 
ing the same with great satisfaction : while opposite him 
was a poor, half-starved "Yank" trying to roast a little 
shell corn, or stew a little mess of pine-root bark, with 
which he must be satisfied for his supper. 

On the 15th, a detail was sent over to High Bridge, 
about a mile away to repair, if possible, a portion of the 
west end of the bridge, that had been destroyed during the 
action at Sailor's Creek, over which it passed. This was 
a well built, very long, and very lofty bridge of masonry, 
over which ran the Southside Railroad. Is was found on 
our arrival, that without regular engineering tools to work 
with, we could accomplish nothing, so towards night we 
came back to camp. The next day we changed camp to 
a position about a mile farther back. 



360 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

On the 17th, the Fifth Corps passed us, and on the i8th 
the Twenty-fourth Corps, one division of which encamped 
near us for the night. 

The 19th of April was a mournful one for us in camp, 
as well as all over the country, it being the day appointed 
for the funeral of our noble and well beloved President, 
Abraham Lincoln. The colors of every regiment in the 
field were draped in mourning ; no duty was performed, 
and the minute guns of the different batteries boomed forth 
a mournful salute the entire day. 

It was a sad day all over the length and breadth of our 
land. Never did a whole nation feel its loss so keenly 
as when our dear old Commander-in-Chief was taken from 
his post of duty by the cruel mission of a rebel bullet. 
Wherever in this broad land floated our triumphant banner, 
there the funeral notes were heard. Bells were tolled in 
sorrow, that but a few days ago were ringing with joy. 
Artillery with guns scarcely cold from triumphant action 
at the front, now woke the echoes with their sad, funereal 
salute ; and a people just in the height of their rejoicing over 
our victories and the prospects of peace, now wended their 
way with heads bowed down and hearts filled with grief, 
to their respective places of worship, where solemn funeral 
services were held. Public and private buildings, churches 
and stores, and the streets, were trimmed in mournful black 
and white; everything was hushed arid still, and thus the 
saddest day in the history of our countr}" passed into 
eternity. 

On the 20th the armies having gone by, and there being- 
nothing further for us to do here, we broke camp and 
started for Burkesville. All alono- the road the air was 
tilled with the stench arising from decaying carcasses of 
horses and mules, which, scattered here and there, made 
our march anything but pleasant. At evening we arrived 
and camped near the railroad. 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 361 

On the morning of the 21st, we shouldered our traps, and 
started down the road towards Petersburg. Marching at 
a lively pace all day, and in good humor, we halted at 
nightfall many miles nearer our destination. 

Sunrise of the 22d saw us again on the road, and 
though the day was hot and dusty, we tallied mile after 
mile, and night found us some twenty-five miles from our 
last night's camp. 

Again at sunrise, on the 23d, we started on, marching one 
hour, and halting fifteen minutes to rest, until at 10 o'clock 
we reached Petersburg, and passing through went into 
camp near Cemetery Hill, the very spot we tried so hard to 
get possession of at the battle of the Mine. After fixing 
up our quarters for the night, we strolled around these old 
rebel works, taking in our various positions while we were 
encamped at the " Nine Holes." 

On the 24th, we bade good-bye to these old lines of 
fortifications and the ground between them, where lay so 
many of our brave comrades who there gave up their lives 
to accomplish the victory we now, and should evermore, 
enjoy. We felt sad, as we thought of many of them lying 
there whom we brought with us to this place, and who could 
not accompany us home, but we remembered the words of 
Him who has said, "Greater love hath no man than this, 
that a man lay down his life for his friends." 

They had lain down their lives for us, and we felt that 
their sacrifice had gained for them a far greater crown of re- 
joicing in that beautiful world beyond their humble graves. 
Farewell, comrades, the ties of love and fellowship that 
have bound us together can never be broken, and not many 
years shall pass away before, with you again, we, too, shall 
answer " Here " to the final roll-call. 

A twelve-mile march brought us to City Point. We lay 
over here one day and replenished our wardrobe, for the 



362 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

campaign of the last few days had left us in rather a rusty 
condition in regard to clothing. 

On the 26th, we packed up, struck tents, and, marching 
down to the wharf embarked aboard the steamer Nereus. 
After taking on board four other regiments, until we were 
so crowded that there was hardly room to lay down, we 
left the wharf and anchored out in the river. 

At 5 o'clock, on the morning of the 27th the anchor w^as 
hove home, and we steamed away down the James River. 
We passed Fort Monroe at noon, and at half-past nine that 
night dropped anchor off Point Lookout. 

With the first streak of dawn we again started, sailing 
grandly up the old Potomac, and at two in the afternoon 
touched the wharf at Alexandria. We at once went 
ashore, and forming line, marched up through the city and 
outside to a point north of old Fort Ellsworth. 

This not being a desirable place for a camp, on account 
of its low, marshy ground, the next day we moved up on 
the hill and established our last cain^ as a regiment directly 
in rear of the fort. 

We now received news of Johnson's surrender, which 
ended the war ; and much rejoicing was indulged in. 

No duty was now required of us, save guard and fatigue 
and the regular dress parade, with an occasional battalion 
drill. The weather was most beautiful, and we thoroughly 
enjoyed oin' camp-life and a long rest after the arduous 
duties of our late campaign. 

About 8 o'clock on the evening of the 12th, one of the 
regiments on our right appeared in company formation on 
their parade ground, each man bearing a lighted candle. 
As they made a pretty show, marching back and forth, the 
idea soon spread to the other regiments, and in an hour's 
time every regiment far and near was parading with 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. ;]6j 

lighted candles. It was a novel and beautiful sight, and 
will not soon be forgotten by the participants. 

On the 1 6th I received a ten days' furlough and started 
lor Rhode Island, and after a short visit, arrived back in 
camp on the 26th. On the 24th, the regiment took an 
honorable part in the great review at Washington, but 
being on my furlough, I missed the opportunity of witness- 
ing it. 

About June ist the troops began to be mustered out of 
service and leave us for home. On the 9th, the Seventh 
Rhode Island, with whom we were consolidated, were 
mustered out. This included nearly all of the recruits of 
the Fourth, and left us but a small battalion of veterans, 
under command of Captain Bowen. 

On the loth, they broke camp and started, accompanied 
b}' the Thirty-fifth and Fifty-eighth Massachusetts regi- 
ments, with man}^ cheers, overflowing with joy at the pros- 
pect of reaching their homes so soon. 

On account of the threatening attitude of the French 
troops in Mexico, it was thought prudent to hold the re- 
enlisted men in service a while longer, for fear Uncle Sam 
might be obliged to take a hand in that struggle. With 
the overthrow of Maximilian and the withdrawal of his 
army from Mexico, ended any necessity of keeping us in 
service, and orders were received to begin the muster out of 
all volunteer troops in either department. 

After the Seventh had left us, we numbered about one 
hundred and fifty, all told ; and newly aligning our tents 
together, waited patiently the day of our deliverance. 
With nothing to do except camp guard and police duty, we 
passed our time in various ways, making excursions to 
Mount Vernon for blackberries, or to Washington or Alex- 
andria to see the sights, and in discussing the news relative 
to our muster out. The camp was full of rumors, — of dis- 



364 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE 

charge ; of consolidation with other Rhode Island veteran 
battalions; of going to Mexico, etc., — all of which found 
ready listeners, and obtained more or less credit. 

July 4th found us still in camp here. A programme of 
amusements was gotten up among the officers for the 
benefit of the few troops remaining in camp. This con- 
sisted of horse-racing, hurdle-jumping, and other sports. 
During the races, the writer, with several comrades, took a 
position in the rear of one of the hurdles, the better to watch 
the horses jump ; when suddenly one of the beasts became 
unmanageable, and jumped over the side of the hurdle on 
top of us, throwing all of us violently to the ground and 
causing considerable injury. One man was badly cut in 
the breast ; another had his head split open ; another suf- 
fered a broken leg, and another a broken arm. The rest 
of us were more or less injured ; while the writer escaped 
with a badly bruised knee, and was laid up for the next 
week or so. 

On the evening of the 7th of July the long-wished-for 
order was read to us on parade, to immediately prepare for 
muster out. The company clerks set to work on the muster 
rolls on the loth, and working night and day, finished them 
up by noon of the nth. The discharge papers were quickly 
made out, and the reports sent in early on the 12th. 

On the 13th our mustering officer arrived, and we were 
duly mustered ont of the service of the United States. 
And now began another season of rejoicing. Tearing 
down our brush arbors from in front of our quarters, we 
piled them in three immense heaps on the parade, and as 
soon as it became twilight set them on fire, as a grand feu 
de j'oie, in honor of the successful ending of our service for 
Uncle Sam ; and as the flames leaped high in the air, we 
danced and shouted and sang and yelled and cheered 
around those heaps like a tribe of Comanches at a war- 



FOURTH RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 365 

dance. An old axe was brought torth, a hole dug, and the 
ceremony of " burying the hatchet" duly performed ; and 
finally we lay down to sleep for the last time on the soil of 
Virginia. 

Daylight the next morning found us astir ; and never a 
camp came down quicker than that one. We had been 
allowed to carry all our traps home, upon paying the sum 
of $6.00 into Uncle Sam's Treasury ; and nearly if not quite 
all of us preferred to take with us those old companions of 
many a march, field, and camp. 

The line was soon formed. There were not many of us : 
but what we lacked in numbers we made up in enthu- 
siasm, and bidding good-bye to the few troops left behind, 
we started down the road towards home. 

Arrived at the wharf in Alexandria, we took the boat for 
Washington, and landing there, marched over to the Balti- 
more & Ohio Depot. Here we found a great many regi- 
ments awaiting transportation to their homes, and it was 6 
o'clock that evening before we got away. 

At half-past ten that night we arrived at Baltimore, and 
marched over to the " Soldiers' Rest," where we refreshed 
the inner man, and then continued our march across the 
city to the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Rail- 
road, and again stowed ourselves away in the cars. 

At 2 o'clock next morning, July 15th, we left Baltimore, 
and reached Philadelphia at noon. We landed, and 
marched over to the old Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon. 
Here we partook of a substantial dinner, after which we 
crossed on the ferry to Camden, and got aboard the cars 
for Amboy. 

We arrived at Amboy about seven in the evening, and 
embarked on a large tug-boat for New York. Feeling 
tired from our travels and the excitement of our journey 
home, we lay down on the deck of the steamer to get a 



^66 FORTY-SIX MOATllS WITH Till-: 

little sleep. x\bout lO o'clock we were aroused bv the 
startling cry of "man overboard!" Jumping up, we as- 
certained that one of our company, Benjamin Arnold, had 
arisen in his sleep and deliberately walked overboard, the 
decks being almost flush. 

As he struck the water he uttered a cry, — the last in 
life, as he probably sank instantly. For a few moments 
all was confusion. Planks were thrown over, the steamer 
stopped, turned back, and slowly sailed over the place, 
while all hands shouted and tried to get a glimpse of him 
in the surrounding darkness, but it was all of no use, and 
the poor boy, who had so longed to reach his home with 
us once more, had at last found a watery grave. 

His relatives, we knew, were anxiously awaiting our 
arrival at Providence, to embrace their dear soldier boy, 
but, alas I were destined to meet with a disappointment 
a thousand times more bitter to bear than as if we had left 
him on the battle-field. We were at last obliged to put 
about and resume our journey, leaving our poor comrade 
sleeping down in the dark waters around us. His body 
was found a day or two later, and sent forward to his 
friends. 

This sad occurrence cast a shadow over our joviality, 
and warned us not to rejoice too much until we found our- 
selves safe in the arms of our friends at home. 

At half past twelve that night we reached New York, 
and took up quarters for the remainder of the night in the 
barracks near the Bowery. Here we staid until 3 o'clock 
the next afternoon, Sunday, when we again took up our 
line of march for the New Haven Depot. 

On our way up Broadway we met the old Ninth New 
York, Hawkins' Zouaves, our old comrades of so many 
fields. They, in company with another regiment, were 
marching down to receive a regiment of state troops, just 



FOURTH RIIUDK ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. 367 

landed. Both columns halted, and much hand-shaking 
and joyful congratulations were the result. 

With cheerful good-byes we parted from them, and ar- 
riving at the depot, went aboard the cars. At 5 p. m., 
Sunday, July 17th, we started out of New York City, and 
at half past one the next morning, we were, most of us, 
sound asleep in the cars, when, bang ! went a piece of 
artillery close beside us. We woke up with a jump, and 
from sheer force of habit, grasped our rifles and equip- 
ments, ready for business. 

An instant's reflection, and we found we had reached 
home. There were no enemies to oppose. The battery 
outside was firing a salute of welcome, and we were 
quickly out on the platform. Marching over to a hall near 
by, we stacked arms, and those of us living within the city 
limits immediately made tracks for home. 

On the 25th of July we mustered together once more, 
squared accounts with Uncle Sam, doffed our long-worn 
suit of blue, and came out in citizen's clothes, for the first 
time in nearly four years. 

My work is done. I have tried to give a faithful picture 
and record of our forty-six and a half months' service 
under the colors of the Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers 
in the late war, stating matters only that came under my 
personal observation, and rel3'ing upon the testimony of 
my comrades for all other important points of our mutual 
history in this service. 

For the whole term of our service I kept the notes from 
which this book is compiled, knowing that when years had 
passed over us their perusal would bring back fresh to our 
minds the scenes of our soldier life ; that we should again 
and again go through our experience in this great struggle 
for a nation's life : and that our children should ever have 



368 FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE FOURTH R. I. V. 

these memoirs to remind them of the sufferings, hardships, 
and dangers incurred, bravely borne, and successfully 
ended by the old soldiers of the war " for the suppression 
of rebellion and the preservation of constitutional liberty." 

And ever, as we see that old Star Spangled Banner float- 
ing over us, our thoughts will be carried back to the days 
when in the roar and thunder of battle, we have followed 
its torn and blood-stained folds through the fiery storm of 
shot and shell, even to victory. 

Long may it wave over our land. May its bright stars 
never again be dimmed by fratricidal strife, but floating 
pure, bright, and triumphant with the breezes of a thou- 
sand centuries, may it ever be supported with arms and 
hearts as brave and loyal as those which have once and 
forever redeemed it from the curse of slavery. 

Thus supported, it can never fall ; and while our hearts 
beat, and our arms can be raised in its defense, it shall 
have our sympathy and aid "against all its enemies or 
opposers whatsoever." 



THE END. 



The Original Roster 

OF COMPANY B, 

Fourth Regiment R. I. Volunteers, 



WITH ADDITIONS 



By Recruits and Transfers. 



APPENDIX. 



DAVID B. CHURCHILL. 

Recruited Company B, at a small office on Broad Street, Provi- 
dence, R. I. We expected he was to go with us as Captain, but 
upon the formation of the company he resigned his charge, and 
the Captaincy was left open to his successor. He subsequently 
was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of Company F, Third 
Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. Received promotion to First 
Lieutenant, then to Captain, and served three years with his regi- 
ment. 

MARTIN PAGE BUFFUM. 

Recruited Company B, in connection with Captain Churchill, 
and was commissioned First Lieutenant, Oct. 4, 1S61 ; as Cap- 
tain, Oct. II, 1S61 ; as Major, Oct. 10, 1863; as Lieutenant- 
Colonel, Dec. 24, 1862. Was taken prisoner at battle of the 
Mine, July 30, 1864. Released by close of the war, and entered 
the United States Regular Army as Major. Resigned, and in 
April, 1884, committed suicide in Texas, by reason of dissipation. 

CHARLES H. GREENE. 

Went out with us as Second Lieutenant. Commissioned as 
Captain, Aug. 11, 1S62. Resigned Sept. 30, 1862. Joined us 
again as Captain, April 15, 1863, at Suffolk, Va., and was mus- 
tered out with the regiment. 



372 



APPENDIX. 



JOHN HUGHES. 

Went out with us as Orderly-Sergeant, which position he held 
until during the North Carolina Campaign, when he was reduced 
to the ranks for drunkenness on duty. The boys hated him, and 
plagued him so much that he got disheartened, was taken sick, 
and entered the hospital at Newport News, Va. He received 
a discharge for disability, March 13, 1863, but afterward en- 
listed again in a regiment from another state, and we saw him 
often during the campaign of 1S65. 

STAUNTON A. GRAY. 

Went out as Second Sergeant and held this position during his 
term of service, most of the time on detached duty. Was mus- 
tered out with the regiment. 

FREDERICK A. HUNT. 

Went out as Third Sergeant. Was reduced to the ranks at 
Beaufort, N. C, for diamkenness and disorderly conduct. On 
the morning of Sept. 17, 1862, at the battle of Antietam, he was 
missing, and was reported as a deserter. 

ANDREW T. GRAY. 

Brother of Staunton. Went out as First Corporal. Promoted 
to Sergeant, and subsequently discharged by reason of disability. 

JAMES HUYBERTS. 

Went out as Second Corporal, but resigned his warrant at Blad- 
ensburg, Md. Served his time honorably in the ranks, and was 
discharged with the regiment. 

BENJAMIN C. GREENE. 
Went out as Third Corporal, which position he held during his 



APPENDIX. 373 

connection with the company. Was wounded at battle of Antie- 
tam, Sept. 17, 1S62, and was discharged by reason of his 
wounds Dec. i, 1862. 

AUSTIN A. PERKINS. 

Went out as Fourth Corporal. Deserted at Antietam about the 
same time as Hunt. 

CHARLES LARKHAM. 

Went out as Fifth Corporal. Served with naval detachment 
on board United States gun-boat Commodore Perry during the 
North Carolina Campaign, and most of the rest of his term on 
recruiting service at the North. Was honorably discharged with 
the regiment. 

SILAS ARNOLD. 

Served as Private. Was discharged Feb. 9, 1863, by reason of 
general disability. Returned home, and reenlisted in Second 
Rhode Island Volunteers, in which regiment he served honorably 
vmtil the close of the war. 

THOMAS ARNOLD. 

Son of Silas. Served as Private during his three years' term, 
and was honorably discharged with the regiment. He afterward 
reenlisted in the Veteran Reserve Corps. 

GEORGE H. ALLEN. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal May 9, 1863. 
Served in naval detachment on board United States gun-boat Com- 
modore Perry during the North Carolina Expedition. Reen- 
listed Jan. 5, 1864, for the second term of three years. Resigned 
his Corporal's warrant at close of the war, and was mustered out 
with the veterans Ju^y 25, 1865. 



374 APPENDIX. 

ALBERT BATES. 
Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal, and deserted. 

GEORGE E. BATES. 
Served as Private. Reenlisted for second term of three years. 
This term he served mostl}' as Teamster in Quartermaster's 
Department. Was honorably discharged with the veterans. 

CHARLES BUDLONG. 

Sei-ved as Private. Served in naval detachment on board 
United States gun-boat Com?nodore Perry in North Carolina Ex- 
pedition. Was honorably discharged v^^ith the regiment. 

STEPHEN M. BURDICK. 
Served as Private. Was shot at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 
1863, and shortly after died of his wounds, much lamented by 
all of his comrades. A faithful soldier and kind friend. 

CYRLTS S. BEERS. 

Served as Private. Was v/ounded at battle of Antietam, Sept. 
17, 1863, and was discharged by reason of his wounds Jan. 7, 
1863. 

WILLIAM H. BANE. 

Served as Private. Taken sick and died at Camp California, 
Va., Jan. 3, 1863. This was the first death in Company B. 

TIMOTHY BURNS. 

Served as Private. Taken sick, and died at Beaufort, N. C, 
June 17, 1863. 

HENRY S. BROWN. 

Served as Fifer. Was discharged for general disability dur- 
ing the summer of 1863. 



APPENDIX. 375 

JONATHAN A. BROWN. 

Served as Private, and was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

GILBERT BOWEN. 

Served as Teamster. Was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

JOHN RAY CLARKE. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal, and served as such 
to the close of his term of three years. Was honorably discharged 
with the regiment. 

ALBERT G. CORNELL. 

Served as Private. Was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

ALPHONSO COON. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal. Promoted to 
Sergeant and to Orderly, and during the spring of 1863 was dis- 
charged for disability. 

ALBERT R. COLLINS. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal, March 2, 1862. 
Promoted to Sergeant, July 16, 1862, and on the consolidation of 
the veterans with the Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers, to Or- 
derly-Sergeant. Reenlisted for the second term of three years. 
Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, June i, 1S65 ; and as First 
Lieutenant, July 24, 1865. Was mustered out with the veterans. 

ALVIN L. CARD. 
Served as Private. Was honorably discharged with the regi- 
jnent. 



376 APPENDIX. 

JONATHAN CARD. 

Served as Drummer. Taken sick and died at Roanoke Island^ 
N. C, March 2, 1862. 

AMOS P. CHAPMAN. 

Served as Private. Discharged by reason of general disability^ 
July 27, 1862. 

ARTEMAS S. CHACE. 

Served as Private. He reenlisted for the second term of three 
years, and served honorably till close of the vv^ar. Was discharged 
with the veterans, and died in New Bedford during the winter of 
1865. 

The writer's messmate and friend during most of our term of 
service. 

JOHN R. CONGDON. 

Served as Private. Discharged for disability Jan. 7, 1862. 
Died at Providence, R. I., Jan. 16, 1875. 

GEORGE ERWIN. 

Served as Private. Wounded at Hill's Point, Va,, May 3, 1863, 
and discharged by reason of disability. 

CHARLES L. FISKE. 

Served as Private and was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

STEPHEN H. FORD. 

Served as Private. Was reported as deserter, Sept. 17, 1862. 

WILLIAM D. GARDINER. 

Served as Colonel's Cook, Discharged by reason of disability^ 
Dec. 14, 1861. 



APPENDIX. 377 

JAMES P. GARDINER. 

Served as Hospital Nurse. Discharged by reason of general 
disability, Oct. 30, 1S62. Since died. 

REYNOLDS GORTON. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal. Served in the 
Color Guard. Honorably discharged w^ith the regiment. 

JOHN GAVIN. 

Served as Private. Reported as a deserter, at Washington, 
D.C., Sept. 6, 1862. 

EPHRAIM GIBSON. 
Went out as Private. Was promoted to Corporal, and dis- 
charged by reason of general disability. 

SAMUEL HARVEY. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal. Wounded at 
battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1863. and died of his wounds, June 
II, 1863. 

ELISHA S. HOLLOWAY. 

Served as Private, Wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, and' 
was discharged by reason of his wounds, Dec. 10, 1862. 

JAMES F. HERVEY. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal. Taken sick and 
sent to Portsmouth Grove Hospital, R. I., and served most of his 
term at the North. 

REUBEN A. HEALEY. 

Served as Private. Wounded at Newbern, March 14, 1862, 
and was discharged by reason of his wounds. 



37^ APPENDIX. 

ALLEN M. HOPKINS. 

Served as Private. Was killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 
1S62. 

ELIJAH JOHNSON. 

Served as Private. Was killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 
1862. 

JOSEPH JENKINS. 

Served as Private. Was discharged after a few weeks' service, 
by reason of disability. 

DANIEL KELLY. 

Served as Private. Served in naval detachment on board 
United States gun-hoat Commodore Perry, in North Carolina Ex- 
pedition. Subsequently deserted. Died suddenly at Providence, 
R. I., Jan. 16, 1S86. 

DAVID KEACH. 

Served as Private. Was confined for disgraceful conduct, at 
Beaufort, N. C, jail, from whence he escaped, and deserted. 

ROBERT KENWORTHY. 

Served as Private. Was shot at battle of Newbern, March 14, 
1862, and died of his wounds the next day. 

JAMES KENNEY. 

Served as Private. Reenlisted for second term of three years, 
and served honorably till close of the war. Was mustered out 
with the veterans. 

GEORGE P. LUTHER. 

Served as Drummer. Transferred to Company I. 



APPENDIX. . 370 

JOHN LIVESEY. 

Served as Private. Discharged by reason of disability, Dec. 6, 
1S62. 

SAMUEL MYRICK. 

Served as Private. Killed at Newbern, March 14, 1862. 

CROMWELL P. MYRICK. 

Brother of Samuel. Went out as Private. Promoted to Cor- 
poral. Promoted to Sergeant. Was shot while on duty in front 
of Petersburg, Va., July 18, 1864, and died of his wounds July 
20, 1S64. 

SOLOMON MYRICK. 

Also brother to Samuel and Cromwell P. Served as Private, 
and was honorably discharged with the regiment. 

JOSIAH MOON. 

Served as Private. Killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1S63. 

JEREMIAH MOON. 

Twin brother to Josiah. Served as Private, and was honor- 
ably discharged with the regiment. 

PATRICK McNEAL. 

Served as Private. Was killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 
1S62. 

ARTHUR McCANN. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal and to Sergeant. 
Was badly wounded while on duty in the trenches in front of 
Petersburg, Va., July 21, 1864, and was subsequently discharged 
by reason of his wound. 



380 APPENDIX. 

EDWARD McDonald. 

Served as Hostler. ' Died sometime in 1864. 

RHODES E. MATHEWSON. 

Served as Private. Wounded at battle of New^bern, March 14, 
1862. Was discharged with the regiment. 

WILLIAM NOON AN. 

Served as Private. Was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

JOSEPH OLIVER. 

Served as Private. Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1S62. 

SAMUEL F. PRESTON. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Sergeant and to Orderly- 
Sergeant. Was honorably discharged with the regiment. 

GEORGE W. PRESTON. 

Served as Private. Wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1863. 
Reenlisted for second term of three years. Wounded again at 
Fort Hell, assault on Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865. Sent to 
hospital and was subsequently discharged. Since died. 

CHRISTOPHER PLUNKETT. 

Served as Private. Wounded while on duty in the trenches in 
front of Petersburg, Va., July 15, 1864. Carried to hospital, and 
leg amputated. Subsequently discharged. Since died. 

JACOB ROE. 
Served as Private. Killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1S62. 



APPENDIX. 381 

JOHN READY. 

Served as Private. Taken sick and died at Hatteras Inlet, 
N. C, about Feb. i, 1862. 

HENRY ROBERTS. 

Served as Private. Served in naval detachment on United 
States gun-boat, Com?nodore Perry ^ during North Carolina Expe- 
dition. Killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. The writer's 
schoolmate, messmate, and intimate friend. We enlisted together 
in three different regiments and one battery before beino- enlisted 
in the Fourth Rhode Island, and slept under the same blanket 
until poor Harry was killed. A good soldier and kind, jovial 
friend, he was greatly missed by all his surviving comrades. 
Slightly wounded at first, he tried to crawl oft' the field, when an- 
other fatal ball laid him low, and his young life went out, another 
sacrifice upon the altar of his country. He went into the fio-ht 
with a premonition of death, — a forewarning that he should not 
come out of it alive, — and fearlessly met his fate like a good soldier. 

JAMES H. RANDALL. 

Served as Private. Died of small pox at Getty's Station, Va., 
March, 1864. 

JOSEPH J. REYNOLDS. 
Served as Private. Wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, and 
subsequently discharged by reason of disability. 

FERDINAND RICHMOND. 

Served as Private. Was discharged by reason of disability after 
, a few months' ser\dce. 

STEPHEN H. SAUNDERS. 
Served as Private, and was discharged with the regiment. 



382 APPENDIX. 

CHARLES E. SULLIVAN. 
Served as Private, and was discharged with the regiment. 

WILLIAM B. STARKLY. 
Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal. Was discharged 
with the regiment. 

DAVID A. SHELDON. 
Served as Private. Reenlisted for second term of three years, 
and was discharged at close of war with the veterans. The writ- 
er's messmate and intimate friend. 

ABIEL SHERMAN. 
Served as Private. Was discharged with the regiment. 

AUGUSTUS T. THORNTON. 
Served as Private. Killed at battle of the Mine, front of Peters- 
burg, Va., July 30, 1864. A genial and pleasant friend and com- 
rade. 

GEORGE TYSON. 

Served as Private. Discharged by reason of disability, Dec. 
13, 1862. 

CHARLES E. TURNER. 

Served as Private. Served in naval detachment. North Caro- 
lina Expedition, Discharged by reason of disability, Jan. 30, 
1863. 

JAMES TURNER. 

Served as Private. Was discharged for disability after a few 
months' service. 

URIAH WHITEHEAD. 

Served as Private. Was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 



APPENDIX. 



383 



NATHAN B. WILMARTH. 

Served as Wagoner. Was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

ARCHELAUS A. WILLIAMS. 

Served as Private. Served in the naval detachment, North Car- 
olina Expedition, on board United States gun-boat Commodore 
Perry. Taken sick near the end of his term. Was honorably 
discharged w^ith the regiment, and in December, 1865, died of dis- 
ease contracted in the service. The writer's schoolmate, messmate,, 
and intimate friend from the age of seven years untiFdeath. 

WILLARD P. WILLCOX. 

Went out as Private. Promoted to Corporal, and was killed at 
the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. 

WILLIAM A. WATERMAN. 
Served as Hostler. Reenlisted for second term of three years, 
and was honorably discharged with the veterans. 

EDWIN W. WESTGATE. 

Served as Private, and was honorably discharged with the regi- 
ment. 

Number of non-commissioned oflicers and men that left Camp 
Green, Oct. 6, 1861, in Company B, Z(i\ of whom there were 



Killed in battle, 

Died of wounds, ..... 

Died of sickness, ..... 

Discharged by reason of wounds, 
Discharged by reason of general disability, 
Deserted, ...... 

Discharged at end of term with the regiment, 



10 

4 
6 

8 
16 

7 
26 



384 APPENDIX. 

Discharged at close of war as veterans, .... 8 

Transferred to other companies, ..... i 

Total, S6 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF COMPANY B. 

The following were in command of Company B at one time or 
another, during its term of service : 

Capt. M. P. BuFFUM. Lieut. Charles E. Eldridge. 

Capt. Charles H. Greene. Lieut. George W. Field. 

Lieut. Albert N. Burdick. Lieut. Albert R. Collins. 

Lieut. Benjamin F. Morse. Lieutenant Costello. 

LIST OF RECRUITS ADDED TO COMPANY B AT 
VARIOUS TIMES. 

NICHOLAS B. ARMS. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Pleasant Valley, 
Md. Served honorably till close of the war. Was mustered 
out with the Seventh Regiment. 

GEORGE AMBROSE. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Fredericksburg, 
Va., in 1863. Deserted at Norfolk, Va., a few months later. 

BENJAMIN F. ARNOLD. 

Served as Private. Joined the company in front of Petersburg, 

Va. Served honorably till close of war. Was mustered out with 

the veterans, and drowned in New York Harbor on the way 

home. 

CHARLES E. BURDICK. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Pleasant Valley, 
Md., and served honorably till the close of the war. Was mus- 
tered out with the Seventh Regiment. 



APPENDIX. 385 

FRANCIS BOUTON. 

Served as Private. Joined the regiment at Pleasant Valley, 
Md., and was discharged for disability, Feb. 14, 1863. 

GEORGE W. BENNETT. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Fredericksburg, 
Va., and served honorably till close of the w^ar. Was mustered 
out with Seventh Regiment. Since died. 

EDWARD GARY. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Newport News, 
Va. Served honorably till close of the war. Was mustered out 
with Seventh Regiment. 

RICHARD EVANS. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Fredericksburg, 
Va. Soon after deserted. 

JAMES JEFFERS. 
Served as Private. Joined the company at Fredericksburg, 
Va. Soon after deserted, — went to find Evans, and for all we 
know, is looking for him yet. 

LUTHER R. RANDALL. 

Served as Private, and subsequently as Wagoner. Joined the 
company at Pleasant Valley, Md. Served honorably till close of 
the war, and was mustered out with the Seventh Rhode Island. 
Died at Providence, R. L, June 3, 1880. 

WILLIAM TAYER. 

Served as Company Cook. Joined the company at Fredericks- 
burg, Va. Served honorably till the close of the war, and was 
mustered out with the Seventh Regiment. Since died. 



386 APPENDIX. 

EDWARD VOSE. 

Served as Drummer. Joined the company at Newport News, 
Va., and on the march to Antietam he deserted. 

WILLIAM B. WEST. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Pleasant Valley, 
Md.. and was transferred to the navy at Point Lookout, Md. 

GEORGE WATERMAN. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Petersburg, Va., 
Aug. 17, 1864, and was mustered out with the veterans. 

EUGENE FLYNN. 

Served as Private. Joined the company at Point Lookout, Md., 
and served till close of the war. 

The following men were added to Company B by transfer 
from Company I, and were subsequently returned to that com- 
pany : 

Privates. 

William Ashton, George Crocker, 

John Barrington, Charles Fuller, 

Thomas Barber, Willard Morse, 

Richard Bethel, Bartholomew Sextox, 

Ariel Brown, William Brown. 
Matthew Collins, 

From Company A. 
George Aylesworth, Silas Sarin. 

Aylesworth was returned to Company A. 

Silas Sabin remained in Company B. Was taken prisoner at 



APPENDIX. ogy 



battle of the Mine, July 30, 1S64, and liberated at close ot the 



Total Number of Men, in service as Company B, not in- 
cluding commissioned officers, 114. 

LIST OF BATTLES 

in which Company B took an active part, or zvas represented 
by the naval detachment : 

ROANOKE ISLAND, N. C. 

Ted. 8 and g, 1862. — With the regiment, and also represented 
by the naval detachment on board United States gun-boat Com- 
modore Perry. No loss in Company B. 

ELIZABETH CITY, N. C. 

Feb. 10, 1862. — A naval battle between the United States 
fleet of fourteen gun-boats and the rebel fleet of six gun-boats, one 
armed schooner, and a land battery of four guns. Company B 
represented by the naval detachment. No loss to the company. 

WINTON, N. C. 

Feb. 20^ 1862. — Skirmish between three United States gun- 
boats and a land force of about two thousand rebels. Company 
B represented by the naval detachment. No loss to the company. 

NEWBERN, N. C. 

March ij and 14, 1862. — With the regiment and also repre- 
sented by the naval detachment. Company B lost one killed and 
three wounded, of whom one died of his wounds the dav after 
the battle. 



S8S APPENDIX. 



Soon after the above engagement the naval detachment was 
returned to the regiment. 



FORT MACON, N. C. 

April 24^ 1862. — No loss in Company B. 

SOUTH MOUNTAIN, Md. 

Sept. 7,^, 1862. — No loss in Company B. 

ANTIETAM, Md. 
Sept. 77, 1862. — Company B lost seven killed and eight 
wounded, of whom two died of their wounds shortly after. 

FREDERICKSBURG. Va. 
Dec. 13, 1862. — No loss in Company B. 

SUFFOLK, Va. 

April 24, 1863. — No loss in Company B. 

HILL'S POINT, Va. 
May J, 1863. — Company B lost one man, wounded. 

BATTLE OF THE ''MINE." 

[Front of Petersburg, Va.] 

July 30, 1864. — Company B lost one man killed, and one 
taken prisoner. 

WELDON RAILROAD. 

[Siege of Petersburg.] 
Aug. 18, 1864.— "So loss in Company B. 



APPENDIX. 

POPLAR SPRING CHURCH, Va. 

[Siege of Petersburg-.] 
Sept. JO, 1864. — No loss in Company B. 

HATCHER'S RUN. 

[Siege of Petersburg.] 
Oct. :?/, 1864. — No loss in Company B. 

ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG. 
April 2. 1864. — Company B lost one man, wounded. 

FORTY DAYS IN THE " NINE HOLES." 

[Siege of Petersburg.] 
Company B lost one man killed and two wounded. 

GARRISON OF ''FORT HELL." 

[Siege of Petersburg.] 
Compan\- B lost one man. wounded. 



389 



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